Basic and recent advances in marine antihypertensive peptides: Production, structure-activity relationship and bioavailability

Abstract Background Despite their efficiency, antihypertensive pharmacological synthetic drugs, such as the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors are often associated with serious negative health side effects. However, recent developments in the field of biotechnology offer promising solutions through the use of biopeptides as natural and safe therapeutic agents. Indeed, bioactive food peptides may safely contribute to the management of hypertension. Scope and approach This review paper gives a survey of research developments concerning antihypertensive and, particularly, ACE-inhibitory peptides from fish proteins and provides an inclusive guide for understanding their action mechanisms. Biopeptides are typically produced from marine proteins through proteolysis under controlled conditions. Generated peptides have several pathways contributing to the management of hypertension and show accurate effects in animal models. The structural characters of ACE-inhibitory peptides including the structure–activity relationship studies as well as the in silico methods, and the absorption routes of peptides to reach their specific targets are the essential points illustrated in this review. Key findings and conclusion Possible ways to ameliorate the efficiency of biopeptides, their functionality and bioavailability along with their future challenges are needed. Also, future research is required to better predict the stability, bioavailability, bio-accessibility and re-activity of peptides in human bodies and their efficiency on reducing blood pressure.