2. Academic Validation
  3. Natural Bioactive Peptides from Tree Peony Flowers: Multifunctional Effects on Skin Antioxidation, Wrinkle Reduction, Moisturization, and Melanin Inhibition

Natural Bioactive Peptides from Tree Peony Flowers: Multifunctional Effects on Skin Antioxidation, Wrinkle Reduction, Moisturization, and Melanin Inhibition

  • Antioxidants (Basel). 2026 Mar 11;15(3):350. doi: 10.3390/antiox15030350.
Yunzong Liu 1 2 3 4,  Ruofei Zheng 5,  Linyue Zhong 1 2 3 4,  Junyang Huang 2,  Xuefang Guan 1 2 3 4,  Juqing Huang 1 2 3 4,  Mei Xu 2,  Yafeng Zheng 5,  Qi Wang 1 2 3 4
Affiliations

Affiliations

  • 1 Institute of Food Science and Technology, Fujian Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Fuzhou 350003, China.
  • 2 Yuanzhidao-FAAS Joint Innovation Center for Functional Probiotics & Medicinal-Edible Resources, Xiamen 361199, China.
  • 3 Key Laboratory of Processing of Subtropical Special Fruits and Vegetables and Mushrooms, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Fuzhou 350002, China.
  • 4 Fujian Key Laboratory of Agricultural Product (Food) Processing, Fuzhou 350002, China.
  • 5 College of Food Science, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China.
PMID: 41897496 DOI: 10.3390/antiox15030350
Abstract

The edible tree peony (Paeonia suffruticosa Andrews) flowers are rich in bioactive components with potential health benefits, but the skin-health-promoting effects of their protein hydrolysates remain understudied. The present research sought to evaluate the antioxidant, anti-wrinkle, moisturizing, and whitening properties of tree peony flower protein hydrolysate (TPFP). TPFP was prepared via enzymatic hydrolysis and ultrafiltration, and its peptide sequences were identified by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), revealing 54 unique small-molecule peptides with an average amino acid length of 8.2 residues and a molecular weight of 914.51 Da. In vitro safety evaluation using CCK-8 assay showed TPFP (20-100 μM) did not induce substantial cytotoxic effects in either HaCaT keratinocytes or B16F10 melanoma cell lines. Functional assays demonstrated that TPFP dose-dependently inhibited UVB-induced Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) overproduction and restored superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities in HaCaT cells, exerting antioxidant effects. Additionally, TPFP protected pro-collagen I from UVB-induced loss, suppressed the expression of matrix metalloproteinase 1 (MMP-1), and restored hyaluronic acid (HA) content, showing anti-wrinkle and moisturizing potentials. In α-MSH-stimulated B16F10 cells, TPFP suppressed melanin synthesis by downregulating the protein expression of Tyrosinase (TYR), tyrosinase-related protein 1 (TRP-1), and TRP-2, achieving a whitening effect. These findings indicate that TPFP possesses comprehensive skin-health-promoting activities with good biocompatibility, highlighting its potential as a natural functional ingredient in cosmetics and functional foods.

Keywords

anti-wrinkle; antioxidant; bioactive peptides; edible tree peony flower; protein hydrolysate; skin health; whitening.

Figures
Products