Food-Derived Multi-Target Antihypertensive Peptides: Sources, Mechanisms and AI-Driven Strategies
Miao Zhang1, Haiyang Liu1, Yinuo Wang1
1State Key Laboratory for Quality and Safety of Agro-Products, Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Food Microbiology and Nutritional Health, Zhejiang-Malaysia Joint Research Laboratory for Agricultural Product Processing and Nutrition, College of Food Science and Engineering, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211, China.
Foods (Basel, Switzerland)
|July 15, 2026
Summary
Multi-target antihypertensive peptides offer a promising natural approach to managing hypertension by addressing complex mechanisms. Research highlights their food sources, mechanisms, and AI-driven screening for future drug development.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacology
- Biochemistry
- Bioinformatics
Background:
- Hypertension is a significant global health issue with limitations in current treatments.
- Natural antihypertensive agents are gaining interest due to side effects of traditional drugs.
- Existing single-target peptides have limited efficacy against hypertension's complexity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the latest research on multi-target antihypertensive peptides.
- To explore their food sources, bioactive mechanisms, and screening methods.
- To discuss future directions in this field.
Main Methods:
- Narrative review of current scientific literature.
- Analysis of food sources (animal, plant, microorganism).
- Examination of artificial intelligence (AI) and network pharmacology applications.
Main Results:
- Multi-target peptides modulate complex hypertension networks for better blood pressure control.
- Identified various food sources and bioactive mechanisms of these peptides.
- AI and machine learning (ML) models are effective for screening and activity prediction.
Conclusions:
- Multi-target antihypertensive peptides represent a promising therapeutic strategy.
- AI-driven approaches accelerate the discovery and development of novel peptides.
- Further research is needed to overcome challenges and realize their full potential.
Related Concept Videos
01:25Antihypertensive Drugs: Direct Renin Inhibitors
The renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) is an intricate physiological pathway involving numerous enzymes and hormones, including renin, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE), angiotensin I and II, and aldosterone. Imbalances within this system increase the production of angiotensin II and aldosterone. Increased angiotensin II levels promote vasoconstriction and blood pressure elevation. Concurrently, higher aldosterone levels stimulate sodium and water reabsorption in the kidneys,...
01:26Heart Failure Drugs: Inhibitors of Renin-Angiotensin System
The activation of the sympathetic nervous system and the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) contributes to cardiac remodeling, and inhibiting the RAAS is a pharmacological target in heart failure management. As a result, neurohumoral modulation is a crucial treatment principle for managing heart failure. This approach involves using medications like ACE inhibitors (ACEIs), angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs), β-blockers, mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (MRAs), and neutral...
01:30Antihypertensive Drugs: Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors
Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE), a vital component of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, is abundant in lung endothelial cells. ACE converts the inactive decapeptide, angiotensin I, into the active octapeptide, angiotensin II. This potent vasoconstrictor narrows blood vessels, increasing resistance to blood flow and elevating blood pressure. Angiotensin II also stimulates aldosterone production, encouraging kidney cells to reabsorb more sodium and water from urine, thereby increasing...
01:27Transducer Mechanism: Enzyme-Linked Receptors
Enzyme-linked receptors are cell-surface receptors acting as an enzyme or associating with an enzyme intracellularly. They make excellent drug targets. Drugs can bind to the extracellular ligand-binding domain or directly affect their enzymatic domain and alter their activity.
Major types that are helpful drug targets include:
Major types that are helpful drug targets include:
01:30Antihypertensive Drugs: Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers
In the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, a hormone called angiotensin II plays a crucial role. It binds to the AT1 receptors in vascular smooth muscles coupled with Gq proteins. The activation of these receptors activates an enzyme called phospholipase C, which releases two molecules: inositol trisphosphate and diacylglycerol. These molecules cause a chain reaction that leads to the phosphorylation of myosin light chains and promotes interaction between actin and myosin, leading to smooth...
01:17Antihypertensive Drugs: Action of β1 Blockers
β1-receptors are primarily located in the heart and kidneys. In cardiac myocytes, these receptors interact with neurotransmitters released by the sympathetic nervous system during heightened activity or danger. As a result, β1-receptors get activated, initiating a series of biochemical processes. Excessive activation of beta receptors due to chronic stress can abnormally increase heart rate and contractility, resulting in high blood pressure or hypertension. To counteract this, β1-blockers...