Abstract

Summary This study was focused on the purification, identification and mechanism of hepatoprotective peptides from Corbicula fluminea by using Sephadex G-15 chromatography, UPLC–MS/MS, oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) assay, cell experiment and molecular docking. Six identified peptides were synthesised chemically and subjected to evaluate hepatoprotective effect. ORAC value and hepaprotective effect against ethanol-induced LO2 cell injury in vitro were determined. The results showed that Tyr-Phe-Leu-Pro (YP-4) and Leu-Val-Tyr-Pro (LP-4) exhibited the strongest antioxidant activity and significantly increased the viability of ethanol-injured LO2 cells. These two peptides significantly reduced ROS levels and efficiently inhibited the decrease of mitochondrial membrane potential in ethanol-injured LO2 cells. Molecular docking revealed that YP-4 and LP-4 possess potential inhibitory activity on CYP2E1 and thus reduce ethanol-induced oxidative stress. It is suggested that YP-4 and LP-4 have good hepatoprotective effect against alcoholic liver injury.