Are Plant Peptides the Future of Immunomodulation?

The current pandemic has placed the spotlight on the state of our immune systems. But a healthy immune system isn’t just one that ramps up its activities when confronted with a challenge, like a foreign pathogen or cancer. A truly healthy immune system strikes a balance so that it neither overreacts nor underreacts.

Sometimes your immune system just needs some help though. That’s where immunomodulatory agents can come in. As its name suggests, immunomodulation means changing your immune response. It encompasses making any changes to the immune system — including suppressing it when necessary.

Immunomodulators are becoming more and more necessary as our sedentary lifestyle has led to increased risks of inflammatory diseases like cancer. Think of immunomodulators as trainers for your immune system. Conventional immunomodulators, while effective, come with undesirable side effects, such as increased risk of infection.¹ Emerging research suggests bioactive plant peptides may be the future of immunomodulators.

Both plant peptides and collagen peptides are types of bioactive peptides, which means they exert physiological effects on your body. Collagen peptide supplements are typically used for their anti-aging or joint benefits.

But plant peptides aren’t just vegan collagen peptides.

Research shows that plant peptides have multifunctional immunomodulating properties — exhibiting more than one effect on your immune response.² For example, protein peptides extracted from some legumes, grains, and grasses have been shown to have both antiproliferative and anti-inflammatory activities.

One laboratory study showed that protein peptides from lima beans (Phaseolus limensis) inhibited the growth of 3 fungi species and the spread of human liver hepatoma cells and neuroblastoma cells.³

Another mouse study found that APP, a protein peptide isolated from the Jew’s Ear mushroom, activates the secretion of the immunomodulating cytokine gamma-interferon. APP was also found to enhance production of nitric oxide and tumor necrosis factor-alpha.⁴

And because plant peptides don’t accumulate inside your body long-term, scientists say there’s a much lower risk of toxicity.⁵

So what’s next? Research into plant peptides is still early, but there’s a good chance that plant peptides hold the secret to optimizing your immune system.

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References

¹ Bascones-Martinez A, Mattila R, Gomez-Font R, Meurman JH. Immunomodulatory drugs: oral and systemic adverse effects. Med Oral Patol Oral Cir Bucal. 2014;19(1):e24-e31. Published 2014 Jan 1. doi:10.4317/medoral.19087

² Pavlicevic M, Marmiroli N, Maestri E. Immunomodulatory peptides—a promising source for novel functional food production and Drug Discovery. Peptides. 2022;148:170696. doi:10.1016/j.peptides.2021.170696

³ Wang S, Rao P, Ye X. Isolation and biochemical characterization of a novel leguminous defense peptide with antifungal and antiproliferative potency. Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology. 2009;82(1):79-86. doi:10.1007/s00253-008-1729-2

⁴ Sheu F, Chien P, Chien A, Chen Y, Chin K. Isolation and characterization of an immunomodulatory protein (APP) from the Jew’s Ear mushroom Auricularia polytricha. Food Chemistry. 2004;87(4):593-600. doi:10.1016/j.foodchem.2004.01.015

⁵ Sosalagere C, Adesegun Kehinde B, Sharma P. Isolation and functionalities of bioactive peptides from fruits and vegetables: A reviews. Food Chem. 2022;366:130494. doi:10.1016/j.foodchem.2021.130494