Bioactive Plant Peptides: Physicochemical Features, Structure-Function Insights and Mechanism of Action

Different cultures worldwide have attributed particular healing abilities to various plants for a long time. After decades of studies, research has demonstrated that their bioactivity is associated mainly with the presence of natural products, including short protein fragments known as peptides. These molecules may occur naturally in plants or be generated from plant protein through enzyme hydrolysis. In recent years, a growing body of evidence has linked plant-derived peptides to diverse biological activities, underscoring the importance of their structural and physicochemical features in determining functionality. Compared with peptides of animal or microbial origin, plant peptides stand out for their high abundance in sustainable sources, low allergenic potential, and distinctive structural traits- such as enrichment in hydrophobic and aromatic residues- that influence their stability, mechanisms of action, and biological functions. This review compiles and analyzes current literature to provide insights into how amino acid composition, secondary structure, net charge, and hydrophobicity influence peptide bioactivity. In addition, the review highlights the mechanisms of action most frequently described for plant peptides. Finally, the article discusses the current landscape and prospects of peptide-based drugs.