Antioxidant-Conjugated Peptides: An Overview of Conjugate Types, Antioxidant Activity, Design, and Synthesis

Abstract

Peptide compounds play a significant role in medicinal chemistry, as they can modulate disease conditions associated with oxidative stress. The development of peptide-based therapeutic compounds is currently undergoing a major transformation, driven by the need for more specific and potent antioxidant agents. The growing interest in conjugated peptides as promising discoveries has driven the development of antioxidant peptides, expanding their potential applications in health and disease prevention. These bioactive peptides, whether derived from natural sources or synthesized via chemical modification, exhibit enhanced antioxidant properties by scavenging free radicals, chelating metal ions, and modulating oxidative stress-related pathways. Although metabolic stability remains a major obstacle, advances in conjugation techniques offer a promising approach to overcoming pharmacokinetic barriers while enhancing the biological activity of peptides. This strategy involves conjugating bioactive peptides with various functional molecules, such as phenolic acids, fullerenes, and inorganic compounds, to create a more potent synergistic effect. Understanding these mechanisms in conjugated peptides is crucial for discovering and developing novel therapeutic agents with improved stability, bioavailability, and efficacy. This review summarizes the exploration of conjugated peptides by discussing their sequences, antioxidant activity, and conjugation methods. Based on the literature and current results, this review aims to provide information that will support the discovery of additional antioxidant peptide conjugates for future research. It is hoped that this mapping will accelerate the transition of peptides from the laboratory scale to broader clinical applications in treating degenerative diseases caused by oxidative stress.