Investigation of the regulatory effect of α-chymotrypsin-assisted hydrolysate from Sebastes schlegelii on blood pressure through in vitro, in silico ACE inhibitory activity, and in vivo spontaneously hypertensive rat hypertensive model

• A novel peptide SSA was isolated using α-chymotrypsin from Sebastes schlegelii . • SSA binds to angiotensin converting enzyme and converting enzyme to inhibit angiotensin 2 synthesis. • SSA reduces the concentration of angiotensin 2 in the body and prevents damage to the heart and blood vessels caused by high blood pressure. • Peptides isolated from SSA bind to the active site of angiotensin converting enzyme and inhibit synthesis with angiotensin. This study aimed to screen peptides with antihypertensive effects from the α-chymotrypsin hydrolysate of Sebastes schlegelii (SSA). SSA demonstrated ACE inhibitory activity with an IC50 value of 0.062 ± 0.001 mg/mL. The SSA significantly reduced body weight and systolic blood pressure in the SHR spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR) model and improved hypertension-induced vasopathy and interstitial fibrosis in heart and vascular tissues, indicating the presence of ACE inhibitory peptides contributing to cardiovascular health. Peptide composition analysis identified fractions of SSA with potent ACE inhibitory activity, particularly those with molecular weights of 5 kDa or less. Further evaluation of ACE activity using Sephadex G-10 separated SSA fractions led to the amino acid sequence analysis of the most effective fraction (SSA-F1). Molecular docking simulations predicted that peptides from SSA-F1 inhibit ACE activity by binding to its active sites. This research suggests the potential of peptides from S. schlegelii for clinical hypertension treatment.