**7. Pharmacological properties associated with bioactive peptides in grains and seeds**

Proteins and peptides derived from grains and seeds play essential roles in the metabolic functions of man and, consequently, in his general well-being. They exhibit drug-like activities and can be classified based on their mode of action as

antimicrobial, antihypertensive, immunomodulatory, and antioxidative [103]. Bioactive peptides are fast evolving as the new generation of biologically active regulators used to treat various medical conditions and increase the quality of life [104]. Pumpkin seeds contain a wide range of bioactive compounds reported with antidiabetic, antibacterial, hypocholesterolemic, antioxidant, anticancer, antimutagenic, immunomodulatory, antihelmintic, and anti-bladder stone potentials [105, 106]. Soybean generates bioactive peptides reported to treat induced arthritis and inflammatory bowel diseases in experimental animals [107–109]. Bioactive peptides from wheat gluten hydrolysate have been used to treat chemically-induced hepatitis in animal [110]. Rapeseed protein hydrolysate is also reported with anti-carcinogenic properties [111]. Wheat and barley exhibit the most incredible diversity and abundance of peptides with potential biological activity among the cereal proteins [112]. Also, wheat and rice have proteins with peptidic sequences showing anticancer activity. Oat derived peptides (lunasin) have been reported to have anti-inflammatory and anti-cancerous properties [113]. African yam bean is reported as a source of phytochemicals and bioactive compounds, including flavonoids and phenolic acids [114]. These bioactive compounds in African yam bean have antioxidant effects and are effective prophylactic and therapeutic compounds against several diseases. The hydrolysates of Bambara groundnut protein isolates have been reported to exhibit potent antioxidant activities and food preservative and functional food properties [115]. The bioactive peptides of Bambara groundnut isolates were also found to inhibit renin and angiotensin-converting enzyme, two components known to be associated with hypertension [116]. Peptide mixture from flaxseed with high levels of branched-chain amino acids and low levels of aromatic amino acids have been reported with antioxidant properties by scavenging 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH) and antihypertensive properties by inhibiting the ACE activity [117].
