A critical review on immunomodulatory peptides from plant sources; action mechanisms and recent advances

Abstract

Plant protein components contribute positively to human well-being as they modulate the immune status of a consumer, especially when the enzymatic method is employed in order to release their bioactive peptides. These peptides are derived from plant-based foods such as soy, wheat, barley, rye, oats, rice, corn, sorghum, and millet, the famous staple foods around the world. Since these peptides are crucial to functional food among other key industries, the present study endeavored to scout for relevant information within the past three decades, using the Web of Science, Scopus, and Google search engines. In this review, first, the core of immunomodulation and types of immunomodulatory agents will be discussed, followed by the production of plant-based immunomodulatory peptides and their immunomodulatory mechanisms in cells, animals, and humans are also studied. Finally, applications and challenges associated with plant-based immunomodulatory peptides are put forward.

Keywords:

• Plants
• bioactive peptides
• immunomodulation
• mechanisms
• health

Acknowledgments

First author expresses his profound gratitude to Duy Tan University, Da Nang, and the National Foundation for Science and Technology Development (NAFOSTED) of Vietnam (Grant No. 108.05-2018.19) for their support. Last author acknowledges the Chinese Ministry of Science and Technology “the Belt and Road” Innovative Talent Exchange Foreign Expert Project (grant nos. DL2021003001 and DL2021014003L).

Disclosure statement

The authors declare that they are no conflicts of interest.

Additional information

Funding

National Foundation for Science and Technology Development (NAFOSTED) of Vietnam (Grant No. 108.05-2018.19) The Chinese Ministry of Science and Technology “the Belt and Road” Innovative Talent Exchange Foreign Expert Project (grant nos. DL2021003001 and DL2021014003L).