ABSTRACT
Peptides are short chains of amino acids obtained either in the free state or released through enzymatic processes from natural sources (animals, plants, micro-organisms) or synthesized. Over the years extensive studies have identified a plethora of therapeutic benefits of peptides. They have gained popularity/found use in the health sector, sports industry, cosmetic world and in drug discovery either as medicines, functional foods, health boosters and performance enhancers. Many bioactive peptides exhibit more than one therapeutic effect making it useful for reducing polypharmacy and as viable candidates for treating patients with comorbidities. The chapter discusses the hypoglycemic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, anticancer, anti-infective, antihypertensive, antithrombotic, weight loss, hypolipidemic, skin rejuvenation, hair growth effects and the importance of peptides in disease diagnosis, drug discovery and drug delivery.
