The Use of Walnut Peptide IPH W in Medicine and Cosmetology

Annotation

Bioactive peptide obtained from walnut, which in turn is a highquality vegetable protein resource, has excellent medicinal properties, such as antioxidant and hypotensive activity The effective use of walnut protein for the production of bioactive peptides and other products is of great importance for the implementation of the integrated use of walnut. The article discusses and discusses the functionality and potential impact of these peptides on human health, and their various applications in medicine and cosmetology.

Introduction

The Manchurian walnut (Juglans mandshurica) is renowned globally for its high nutritional and medicinal value. Rich in unsaturated fatty acids, proteins, polyphenols, and minerals, walnut oil, particularly high in polyunsaturated fatty acids, is increasingly popular among consumers. Walnuts boast an array of health benefits, including antioxidant, anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory properties, cholesterol reduction, and blood pressure control. Uniquely, they possess an ideal balance of n-6 and n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids at a 4:1 ratio, reducing the risk of cardiovascular diseases.

Walnut protein mainly consists of albumin, globulin, gliadin, and glutenin, containing 18 amino acids. The presence of eight essential amino acids meets human nutritional requirements, making it an important source of plant protein.

Peptides are short chains of amino acids linked by peptide bonds. Typically shorter than proteins, peptides can range from two or more amino acids, whereas proteins are longer molecules made of several peptide subunits, known as polypeptides. Proteins can be broken down into shorter peptide fragments by enzymes. In cells, peptides perform various biological functions.

Bioactive peptides, comprising 2 to 20 amino acids, include antioxidant, hypotensive, immunoactive, and neuroactive types. They are derived from animal or plant food proteins through processes like enzymolysis, fermentation, or in vivo or in vitro digestion. Antioxidant peptides can be categorized as endogenous (like glutathione, carnosine, human cyclo and tripeptides) or exogenous (synthetic antioxidants). Due to their low molecular weight, multiple biological activities, high stability, simple structure, easy absorption, and minimal or no side effects, natural antioxidant peptides are gaining interest for their potential health benefits. This has led to a surge in exploring new, safe antioxidant peptides from natural sources for medical, cosmetic, food, and pharmaceutical applications.

Walnut peptides are recognized as nutraceuticals with numerous health advantages, making the development and processing of walnut protein particularly intriguing. With diverse physiological functions, walnut bioactive peptides have broad prospects in the medical and cosmetic industries.

Main Part: The Potential of Walnut Peptides in Health and Cosmetics

Extracted from natural products, antioxidant peptides from walnuts are being studied for potential use in supplement, nutraceutical, and therapeutic product development. Walnut proteins, as a plant-based protein source, are highly valued due to their high content and 86.22% digestibility. Walnut proteins include albumins, globulins, prolamins, glutenins, and scleroproteins, varying in solubility. The protein content and composition vary with walnut species, variety, and processing conditions.

Bioactive peptides are inactive within the original protein structure but become active through chemical, enzymatic, and microbial fermentation methods. Enzymatic hydrolysis yields various walnut-derived peptides with biological activities such as antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties. Antioxidant peptides from walnuts, in particular, have garnered global research interest for their in vitro and in vivo antioxidant activity.

Studies have shown that walnut peptides with high antioxidant activity also exhibit excellent anti-tumor effects, enhance memory, boost immunity, and alleviate fatigue. Walnut peptides are also considered potential treatments for neurodegenerative diseases related to memory impairment. Moderately hydrolyzed walnut protein can produce highly active anti-tumor peptides, utilized in developing functional foods and anti-cancer drugs.

Oxidative processes arise from an imbalance in reactive oxygen species production. Oxidative stress, a crucial factor in type 2 diabetes, results from increased oxidative processes against insufficient antioxidant system functioning. Bioactive peptides from walnuts have been found to reduce oxidative stress in humans, improving glucose consumption and absorption.

Thus, walnut peptides, with a rational amino acid composition, cholesterol-free, low molecular weight, and easy absorption, exhibit anti-hypertensive, anti-cancer, memory-enhancing, and immune-boosting functions. They are suitable for developing healthy foods and medications for these conditions.

The food qualities, processability, storage stability, and biological activity of products with active walnut peptides are closely related to the preparation process. The preparation process, separation technology, and purification affect the composition, structure, and functions of the final product.

Currently, various walnut bioactive peptide products have been developed, demonstrating antioxidant, anti-hypertensive, anti-hyperuricemia, memory-enhancing, and anti-tumor activities.

Cosmetics Applications

The field of cosmetology appears most promising for walnut peptides application. Peptides in cosmetics, due to their specific interaction with biological targets, are short amino acid chains, the building blocks of proteins like collagen, elastin, and keratin produced in the skin. These peptides are excellent additions to formulas for mature skin care, promoting skin firmness, hydration, and a rejuvenating effect, improving complexion.

An optimal skincare product should contain a carefully selected mix of skin-beneficial ingredients, including antioxidants, moisturizers, and restorative substances. Walnut peptides are recognized as one of the best ingredients for skincare and hair care products, actively used to improve scalp condition, strengthen hair, and stimulate growth.

Peptide technology is often used in skincare, as it penetrates the skin and binds to cell surface receptors, stimulating cellular activity, significantly hydrating the skin, relieving irritation, and nourishing it. Processes like protein production slow down with age. Topically applied peptides stimulate collagen and elastin production, essential for skin structure, firmness, and elasticity.

Conclusion: Walnut Peptides – The Future of Health and Beauty

Walnut peptides IPH W are among the most studied, with current research focused on enhancing the biological activity of identified bioactive walnut peptides using new technologies and strategies. The trend is towards obtaining walnut peptides with specific sequences for use in particular diseases. Walnuts are rich in bioactive peptides exhibiting various biological activities like antioxidant, anti-tumor, hypotensive, anti-diabetic, immunomodulatory, anti-convulsant, and neuroprotective effects. Walnut bioactive peptides IPH W are poised to become key functional ingredients in food products, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics. Further research into walnut peptide processing and refinement will help develop higher bioavailability and significant functions in medicine and cosmetology.

References

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