Marine-derived bioactive peptides (MBPs) are emerging as promising natural agents for regulating inflammatory responses. MBPs, typically obtained through enzymatic hydrolysis of proteins from various marine organisms such as fish, mollusks, and algae, exhibit diverse biological activities, including antioxidant, immunomodulatory, and anti-inflammatory effects. The ability of MBPs to modulate key inflammatory mediators such as TNF-α, IL-6, and COX-2, primarily through pathways like NF-κB and MAPK, highlights the therapeutic potential of MBPs in managing chronic inflammatory diseases. However, most existing studies are confined to in vitro assays or animal models, with limited translation to human clinical applications. This review explores the stability, bioavailability, and metabolic rate of MBPs under physiological conditions, which remain poorly understood. In addition, a lack of standardized protocols for peptide extraction, purification, and efficacy evaluation hinders comparative analysis across studies and also different proteomics approaches for separation, purification, identification, and quantification of marine-derived peptides with therapeutic properties. The structure–function relationship of MBPs is also underexplored, limiting rational design and targeted applications in functional foods or therapeutic products. These limitations are largely due to a lack of consolidated information and integrated research efforts. To address these challenges, this review summarizes recent progress in identifying MBPs with anti-inflammatory potentials, outlines key mechanisms, and highlights current limitations. Additionally, this review also emphasizes the need to enhance mechanistic understanding, optimize delivery strategies, and advance clinical validation to fully realize the therapeutic potential of MBPs.

In the aquaculture industry, the larvae of major farmed marine fish are highly vulnerable to unavoidable environmental stressors that cause oxidative stress and immunosuppression. Dietary antioxidants are therefore important for maintaining immune homeostasis and disease resistance. Although the cladoceran Moina macrocopa has emerged as a promising alternative feed owing to its rapid growth rate, mass cultivation potential, and abundant nutritional profiles, no studies have been conducted on its biological activity yet. In this study, we comprehensively assessed the potential of M. macrocopa to alleviate oxidative stress. Biochemical profiling revealed that based on its high crude protein content (61.6%), M. macrocopa is rich in essential amino acids that promote fish growth. Additionally, it possesses functional molecules such as glutamic acid, a key precursor for glutathione synthesis, and the antioxidant peptide carnosine. Its abundant saturated fatty acids and monounsaturated fatty acids can meet the high metabolic energy needs of early-stage aquatic organisms, and its essential polyunsaturated fatty acids can provide functional benefits underlying immune response regulation. In vivo evaluation using zebrafish embryos showed that M. macrocopa inhibits reactive oxygen species overproduction, lipid peroxidation, and embryo apoptosis induced by lipopolysaccharide. Ultimately, the present study redefines M. macrocopa as more than just a conventional nutrient source, establishing it as a practical functional biological source capable of enhancing innate stress resistance in aquaculture.

Marine-derived bioactive peptides show significant promise as candidates for cardiovascular drug discovery because of their diverse biological activities and ACE-inhibitory activity. This review outlines the current state of knowledge on marine-derived ACE-inhibitory peptides as potential therapeutic targets for cardiovascular drug discovery. This narrative review was conducted using Scopus, PubMed, and Web of Science databases with a focus on eligible studies on ACE inhibition; peptide sequence and structural characteristics; hydrolysis and purification approaches; molecular docking; pharmacokinetic strategies; drug discovery; drug-delivery approaches; and clinical studies. This review shows that ACE-inhibitory peptides are derived from marine organisms. The reviewed studies report peptide activity determined by amino acid composition, peptide length, hydrophobicity, hydrolysis method, fractionation, chromatographic purification, and characterization techniques. Computer-based molecular mechanism studies further demonstrate that marine peptides interact with ACE through hydrogen bonding, hydrophobic interactions, and interactions at the catalytic subsite surrounding the Zn ion center. Most of the peptides have demonstrated antihypertensive effects in animal models, while limited clinical evidence suggests potential for further development. This review concludes that marine-derived ACE-inhibitory peptides are promising targets for cardiovascular drug discovery. Clinical translational barriers, industrial-scale production, clinical validation, and regulatory approval are essential to address in future work. Integration of molecular docking, advanced delivery approaches, medicinal chemistry, AI-assisted peptide design, sustainable green extraction, and clinical research could expedite their translation into pharmaceutical approaches for further drug development.

Background/Objectives: Marine-derived bioactive peptides have been reported to possess blood pressure-regulatory effects. However, most studies have focused on the antihypertensive effects after single-dose administration, and research on long-term administration and its protective effects against hypertension-induced tissue damage remains limited. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the long-term antihypertensive efficacy of IGTGIPGIW, a bioactive peptide derived from Hippocampus abdominalis (H. abdominalis), and its protective effects on hypertension-related tissue damage. Methods: To evaluate the blood pressure-regulatory effects, spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) were orally administered a high-dose (50 mg/kg) IGTGIPGIW peptide group (H-IGTGIPGIW) for 8 weeks. Systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and mean arterial pressure (MAP) were monitored weekly. Serum levels of angiotensin II (Ang II), angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE), and angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) were measured to assess the peptide’s regulatory effects on the renin–angiotensin system. Histological analyses of the aorta and heart tissues were performed to evaluate the protective effects against hypertension-induced tissue damage. Results: After 8 weeks of treatment, H-IGTGIPGIW significantly reduced SBP, DBP, and MAP compared with SHRs. Serum Ang II and ACE levels were significantly decreased, while ACE2 levels were significantly increased. Histological analyses demonstrated that IGTGIPGIW alleviated aortic wall thickening and reduced renal and cardiac tissue damage in SHR. Conclusions: IGTGIPGIW, a bioactive peptide derived from H. abdominalis, effectively regulated blood pressure by modulating serum Ang II, ACE, and ACE2 levels. Moreover, it protected against hypertension-induced aortic, renal and cardiac tissue damage, suggesting its potential as a functional ingredient for managing hypertension.

In the aquaculture industry, the larvae of major farmed marine fish are highly vulnerable to unavoidable environmental stressors that cause oxidative stress and immunosuppression. Dietary antioxidants are therefore important for maintaining immune homeostasis and disease resistance. Although the cladoceran Moina macrocopa has emerged as a promising alternative feed owing to its rapid growth rate, mass cultivation potential, and abundant nutritional profiles, no studies have been conducted on its biological activity yet. In this study, we comprehensively assessed the potential of M. macrocopa to alleviate oxidative stress. Biochemical profiling revealed that based on its high crude protein content (61.6%), M. macrocopa is rich in essential amino acids that promote fish growth. Additionally, it possesses functional molecules such as glutamic acid, a key precursor for glutathione synthesis, and the antioxidant peptide carnosine. Its abundant saturated fatty acids and monounsaturated fatty acids can meet the high metabolic energy needs of early-stage aquatic organisms, and its essential polyunsaturated fatty acids can provide functional benefits underlying immune response regulation. In vivo evaluation using zebrafish embryos showed that M. macrocopa inhibits reactive oxygen species overproduction, lipid peroxidation, and embryo apoptosis induced by lipopolysaccharide. Ultimately, the present study redefines M. macrocopa as more than just a conventional nutrient source, establishing it as a practical functional biological source capable of enhancing innate stress resistance in aquaculture.