From the Guidelines
The best anti-inflammatory peptides include CGRP inhibitors, such as gepants and monoclonal antibodies targeting CGRP, which have shown efficacy in reducing inflammation and pain in various conditions, including migraine and inflammatory arthritis. These peptides work by modulating immune cell activity, reducing pro-inflammatory cytokines, and promoting tissue repair processes. The use of CGRP inhibitors has been supported by recent studies, including the 2023 U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and U.S. Department of Defense clinical practice guideline for the management of headache 1. Other anti-inflammatory peptides, such as BPC-157, TB-500, KPV, and VIP, may also be effective in reducing inflammation and promoting tissue repair, but their use is not as well-established as CGRP inhibitors.
Some key points to consider when using anti-inflammatory peptides include:
- The importance of medical supervision, as these peptides can interact with medications or affect existing health conditions
- The need for quality sourcing, as these peptides are often sold as research chemicals rather than approved medications
- The potential for varying efficacy and safety profiles among different peptides and individual patients
- The importance of considering the underlying pathophysiology of the condition being treated, as well as the potential benefits and risks of anti-inflammatory peptide therapy.
Overall, CGRP inhibitors are a promising class of anti-inflammatory peptides that have shown efficacy in reducing inflammation and pain in various conditions. However, further research is needed to fully establish their safety and efficacy profiles, and to determine their optimal use in clinical practice.
From the Research
Characteristics of Anti-Inflammatory Peptides
- Anti-inflammatory peptides (AIPs) can be derived from various natural sources, such as algae, fungi, plants, animals, and marine organisms 2
- Peptides rich in cysteines and methionine, sulphur-containing amino acids, are known for their role in suppression of inflammation 2
- Small peptides with molecular weight under 1 kDa and amino acid chain length between 2 to 20 residues are generally the most active 3
- The presence of hydrophobic (Val, Ile, Pro) and positively charged (His, Arg, Lys) amino acids is another common occurrence for anti-inflammatory peptides 3
Therapeutic Use of Anti-Inflammatory Peptides
- Peptides have demonstrated high specificity and recent innovative synthetic strategies, making them potential anti-inflammatory agents 4
- Endogenous peptides identified during inflammatory responses have shown anti-inflammatory activities by inhibiting, reducing, and/or modulating the expression and activity of mediators 4
- Interleukin-1 antagonists, such as anakinra, have been shown to be effective in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis 5
- Bioactive peptides exhibiting anti-inflammatory activity can be obtained from sustainable protein sources like edible insects or agroindustry and fishing by-products 3
Mechanisms of Action
- AIPs can interfere with cytokines or specific cell surface molecules and inhibit the inflammatory reactions 6
- Cysteine and methionine aid in the elimination of free radicals, hence assisting in the treatment of inflammatory diseases 2
- The structure-activity relationship of anti-inflammatory peptides is important, with small peptides being more active due to their higher probability of being absorbed in the intestine and penetrating into cells 3