Manjusha Sayd, Nafila P.P. and Kunhi A.A.M. 2016. An Overview of Bioactive peptides: Natural resources of Angiotensin Converting Enzyme Inhibitors- Prospects in Pharmaceutical Industries. Abstract Book. National symposium on ‘Biosciences and Technology –Recent Developments and Future Prospects’, SIAS-Centre for Scientific Research, Safi Institute of Advanced Study, Vazhayoor, Malappuram, Kerala, p. 61.

ABSTRACT

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death in the world. Hypertension or high blood pressure is one of the major independent risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Angiotensin I converting enzyme (ACE) plays a physiological role in regulation of blood pressure by converting angiotensin I to angiotensin II, a potent vasoconstrictor. Therefore the inhibition of ACE, is a major target in prevention of hypertension. The search for bioactive peptides as ACE inhibitors is of special interest to develop a number of novel compounds such as pholortannins developed from marine organisms and other resources. These can be developed as nutraceuticals with a great potential to prevent hypertension. For patients with mild hypertension, alternative methods of reducing BP such as diet, activity and naturally occurring compounds are therefore preferred. It is therefore of great interest to further explore food items and bioactive compounds that can have a beneficial effect on human health. Plant proteins particularly seed storage proteins have been received more attention in current anti- hypertensive studies. It have been already reported from peanut and many other plant seeds. Marine animals have unique challenges in their environment and contain a variety of diverse molecules that are used to deal with the environment they are exposed. Bioactive peptides, chito oligosaccharide derivatives (COS) and phlorotannins, from marine sources, have been found to be natural ACE inhibitors. Apart from the antioxidant, anticoagulant and antimicrobial marine-derived bioactive peptides are antihypertensive too. They have been shown to reduce the cardiovascular risk by reducing ACE activity. Bioactive peptides from marine sources like fish, crustaceans, molluscs have been a potential sources for deriving the bioactive angiotensin inhibitory peptides. The marine derived and plant derived ACE inhibitors as novel therapeutic drug targets for the future prospects in treating hypertension are being under trials for further research in current research institute.

Key words: Angiotensin Converting Enzyme Inhibitor, Pharmaceutical industries, Marine, Nutraceuticals.