the biologic effects of casein and casein-derived bioactive peptides

casein possesses important physiological and biological properties with regard to promotion of health, as well as prevention of diseases. anticarcinogenic activities, reduction in the risk factors of cardiovascular disease and anticariogenic features have been associated with casein. in addition, casein is known as a source of bioactive peptides. casein-derived peptides have been found to have a variety of specific properties, such as antihypertensive and ace inhibitor activity, antimicrobial, opioid, immunomodulatory traits. in this article some health- related aspects of casein are reviewed. pubmed, science direct, springer and google scholar databases were searched in order to achieve the desired articles. cellular, animal as well as human studies that have been conducted from 1980 till 2012, were recruited in this investigation researches indicate the biological benefits of casein and casein-derived peptides on health- related aspects. several studies demonstrate impacts of casein on prevention of tumor incidence and growth as well as inhibition of carcinogenesis. casein and casein hydrolysate products also reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease via the reduction of blood cholesterol level and prevention of hypertension. furthermore, casein and its bioactive peptides prevent from dental caries by inhibiting the activity of cariogenic bacteria, stabilizing the amorphous calcium phosphate as well as reducing the hydroxyapatite dissolution. in addition, casein derived peptides regulate the immune responses through the regulation of proliferation and activity of immune cells. collectively, with regard to the broad biological functions of casein in association with health conditions as well as prevention and treatment of diseases, consumption of these proteins in healthy subjects and patients could be beneficial. more human studies about health benefits of casein are necessary to achieve to substantial evidences. keywords: milk proteins, casein, bioactive peptides, biological effects