Design, synthesis and biological evaluation of novel peptide MC2 analogues from Momordica charantia as potential anti-diabetic agents.

Three series of Momordica charantia (MC)2 analogues were designed, synthesized and evaluated for their anti-hyperglycaemic effects. Alanine scanning focusing on the peptide MC2 indicated the importance of the residues proline (Pro)(3), serine (Ser)(6), isoleucine (Ile)(7) and Ser(10) for anti-hyperglycaemic effects. Among the first series of MC2 analogues, peptide I-4 exhibited a better anti-hyperglycaemic effect and was chosen for further modification. A further two series of conformationally constrained analogues were designed by scanning the residues Pro(3), Ser(6), Ile(7), and Ser(10) with an i - (i + 2) lactam bridge consisting of a glutamic acid-Xaa-lysine (Glu-Xaa-Lys) scaffold and a diproline fragment. By screening in normal mice and mice with diabetes mellitus, peptides II-1, II-2 and III-3 showed a significant improvement in anti-hyperglycaemic and anti-oxidative activities compared with I-4. These data suggest that II-1, II-2 and III-3 could be candidates for future treatment of diabetes mellitus.