Antidiabetic agents with multiple targets have the greatest pharmaceutical potential. In this
study, three α-glucosidase inhibitory peptides, PFP, YPL and YPG, were investigated for
additional antidiabetic targets viz; dipeptidyl peptidase-IV inhibition (DPP-IV), lipid
accumulation and the differentiation of 3T3-L1 adipocytes, and scavenging of methylglyoxal
(MGO), reactive oxygen species (ROS) and nitric oxide (NO). The peptides were subjected to
molecular docking on human DPP-IV where the binding free energies were PFP < YPG < YPL <
diprotin A while hydrogen bond interactions were critical in the binding of YPL and YPG.
Moreover, YPG demonstrated significantly higher (p<0.05) in vitro DPP-IV inhibitio... More
Antidiabetic agents with multiple targets have the greatest pharmaceutical potential. In this
study, three α-glucosidase inhibitory peptides, PFP, YPL and YPG, were investigated for
additional antidiabetic targets viz; dipeptidyl peptidase-IV inhibition (DPP-IV), lipid
accumulation and the differentiation of 3T3-L1 adipocytes, and scavenging of methylglyoxal
(MGO), reactive oxygen species (ROS) and nitric oxide (NO). The peptides were subjected to
molecular docking on human DPP-IV where the binding free energies were PFP < YPG < YPL <
diprotin A while hydrogen bond interactions were critical in the binding of YPL and YPG.
Moreover, YPG demonstrated significantly higher (p<0.05) in vitro DPP-IV inhibition than PFP
and YPL. Kinetic analysis revealed that all three peptides are uncompetitive inhibitors of DPPIV
while YPG had the lowest inhibition binding constant. PFP and YPG prevented lipid
accumulation in 3T3-L1 differentiated adipocytes but may be due to cytotoxicity for PFP. The
peptides scavenged MGO, ROS and NO but only the ROS and NO scavenging activities of YPG
were comparable to glutathione. In conclusion, PFP, YPL and YPG exhibited DPP-IV inhibitory
activity, reduced adipocyte differentiation and lipid accumulation as well as scavenged MGO,
ROS and NO. However, YPG had the best potential as a possible multifunctional antidiabetic
agent