plant-proteins
Plant proteins are macromolecules synthesized by plants that perform structural, enzymatic, and regulatory functions essential to plant growth and metabolism. This research area is significant for plant science because it directly impacts crop nutrition, yield optimization, and the development of sustainable plant-based protein sources for global food security. Additionally, studying plant protein engineering and composition enables the development of crops with enhanced nutritional profiles and improved environmental resilience.
PubMed · 2026-03-23
Scientists combined naringenin — a natural compound found in citrus fruits — with pea protein to create a tiny particle that dramatically speeds up healing of eye surface wounds. The plant-based treatment reduced inflammation and helped nerves regrow in mice, pointing toward a new class of eye drops derived entirely from plants.
The pea protein–naringenin nanocomplex increased naringenin's water solubility approximately 150-fold compared to naringenin alone.
Corneal wound closure was accelerated by ~1.7-fold and nerve regeneration was promoted, restoring corneal sensitivity in a mouse model.
The treatment shifted immune cells (macrophages) toward an anti-inflammatory state, suppressing IL-6 and TNF-α while elevating the healing-promoting signal IL-10.
