Molecular models of peptides with nutraceutical properties.

In the last decades, a great deal of research has been devoted to the study of natural compounds contained in plant cells that can both prevent the onset and development of several pathologies and delay cellular aging. The beneficial effects of fruits and vegetables are very likely due to many of their components such as vitamins, polyphenols, isotyocianates, etc. However a fundamental biological role can be played by peptides, small protein molecules. The use of peptides in nutraceutical field could be hampered by their low bioavailability due to several reasons : a-digestion by proteolytic enzymes, b-quick elimination by the kidney, c-difficulty to penetrate the cell membranes. Molecular models of peptides suitable to carry out nutraceutical activities are investigated.