Functional foods containing peptides offer the possibility to modulate the absorption of sugars and insulin levels to prevent diabetes. This study investigates the potential of germinated soybean peptides to modulate postprandial glycaemic response through inhibition of dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP-IV), salivary α-amylase, and intestinal α-glucosidases. A protein isolate from soybean sprouts was digested by pepsin and pancreatin. Protein digest and peptide fractions obtained by ultrafiltration (10 kDa) and subsequent semipreparative reverse phase liquid chromatography (F1, F2, F3, and F4) were screened for in vitro inhibition of DPP-IV, α-amylase, maltase, and sucrase activities. Protein digest inhibited DPP-IV (IC₅₀ = 1.49 mg/mL), α-amylase (IC₅₀ = 1.70 mg/mL), maltase, and sucrase activities of α-glucosidases (IC₅₀ = 3.73 and 2.90 mg/mL, respectively). Peptides of 5–10 and >10 kDa were more effective at inhibiting DPP-IV (IC₅₀ = 0.91 and 1.18 mg/mL, respectively), while peptides of 5–10 and <5 kDa showed a higher potency to inhibit α-amylase and α-glucosidases. Peptides in F1, F2, and F3 were mainly fragments from β-conglycinin, glycinin, and P34 thiol protease. The analysis of structural features of peptides in F1–F3 allowed the tentative identification of potential antidiabetic peptides. Germinated soybean protein showed a promising potential to be used as a nutraceutical or functional ingredient for diabetes prevention.

Aging is a process characterized by tissue degeneration, increased susceptibility to chronic degenerative diseases, infections, and the appearance of neoplasms, which leads to disability and a reduction in the length and quality of life. This phenomenon is the result of the convergence of multiple processes, including mitochondrial dysfunction, fibrosis, inflammation, dysregulation of cell death processes, and immunosenescence. These processes have as their point of convergence an increase in the production of ROS. Avocado oil (Persea americana Mill.) contains a diverse array of bioactive compounds, including oleic acid, phytosterols, chlorophylls, xanthones, xanthines, and carotenoids. These bioactive compounds have the capacity to modulate the excessive production of ROS, thereby reducing the progression of age-related diseases and extending lifespan in experimental models of aging. In addition, several studies have demonstrated the efficacy of avocado oil in mitigating age-related diseases, including hypertension; insulin resistance; diabetes; non-alcoholic liver disease; and degenerative processes such as hearing loss, cognitive decline, neurodegeneration, and impaired wound healing. In light of these findings, it is hypothesized that avocado oil is a promising agent capable of promoting healthspan in later stages of life owing to its direct antioxidant actions and the activation of pathways that enhance endogenous antioxidant levels.

High-fat and high-carbohydrate (HF-HC) diets induce metabolic syndrome via mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress. We have previously shown that this may be prevented by avocado oil, a source of bioactive molecules with antioxidant properties. However, it is unknown if these effects are mediated by the unsaponifiable fraction of avocado oil (UFAO). Thus, we tested if this fraction improves glucose metabolism, bioenergetics and oxidative stress in mitochondria from the kidney and liver of rats fed an HF-HC diet. We found that 12 weeks of an HF-HC diet impaired glucose utilization and increased insulin resistance, which was prevented by UFAO administration. The HF-HC diet decreased respiration, membrane potential and electron transport chain (ETC) function in liver and kidney mitochondria. These mitochondrial dysfunctions were prevented by UFAO intake. Unexpectedly, UFAO increased ROS levels in the mitochondria of control animals and did not decrease them in rats with an HF-HC diet; however, UFAO protects liver and kidney mitochondria from iron-induced oxidative stress. These findings suggest that impairments in glucose metabolism and mitochondrial function by an HF-HC diet may be prevented by UFAO, without decreasing ROS generation but protecting mitochondria from oxidative damage.

This chapter explores the benefits of soybean, beginning with its significance as a global crop due to its low cost, nutritional value, and health benefits. It provides a general overview of the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer activities. It is argued that these biological benefits can be attributed to soybean components, such as phenolic compounds, proteins, and bioactive peptides. The interaction between these components and the intestinal microbiota, which may have a positive effect on certain diseases, is discussed. Furthermore, the chapter describes how the germination process enhances the availability and quantity of these beneficial compounds. It highlights the recent advancements in web servers and bioinformatics tools for the search and prediction of peptides with anticancer activity. It also examines soybean-based products that have been assessed in both in vitro and in vivo models and have demonstrated therapeutic effects. <!----> <!----> <!----> <!---->