Antiproliferative and Apoptotic Effect of Protein Hydrolysates from Lanternfish (<i>Benthosema pterotum</i>) on HT-29 Cell Line of Colorectal Adenocarcinoma

Background: Bioactive peptides, specific fragments of proteins with beneficial health effects, are increasingly recognized and utilized in drug development due to their numerous advantages. These advantages include an improved ability to penetrate biological barriers, minimal toxicity, and rapid elimination from the body. Objectives: This research focused on identifying bioactive peptides obtained from the lanternfish (Benthosema pterotum) and their effects on the induction of apoptosis in the HT-29 cell line. Methods: Lanternfish collected from the Makran coast were hydrolyzed using Alcalase (HA) and Flavourzyme (HF) enzymes. The protein hydrolysates were then purified by fast protein liquid chromatography (FPLC), resulting in BPHA and BPHF. Cells were treated with protein hydrolysates under 3 kDa at different concentrations and cisplatin for 48 hours. Cell proliferation was assessed using the MTT assay and flow cytometry analysis. Results: Hydrolyzed proteins HA and HF exhibited high protein levels, with 80.26% and 79.45%, respectively. Additionally, based on the MTT assay results, the IC50 values of the bioactive peptides digested with HA and HF in HT-29 cells were 313.7 μg/mL and 392.8 μg/mL, respectively. These results indicated significant apoptosis in cancer cells, with effects comparable to those of cisplatin (P < 0.01). Conclusions: The potential of the bioactive peptide assessed in this investigation was demonstrated by its ability to inhibit the proliferation of HT-29 human colon cancer cells. This finding underscores its promise as a prospective candidate for colon cancer treatment.