Issue 16, 2024

A review of the biological activities of lactoferrin: mechanisms and potential applications

Abstract

Lactoferrin, a multifunctional iron-binding protein found in milk and other body fluids, possesses numerous biological activities. The functional activity of lactoferrin lies not only in its iron-binding capacity but also in the molecular mechanisms by which it can affect important chemical components in the host. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying these activities remain unelucidated. In this paper, we review the structure, properties, and contents of different lactoferrin milk sources. The different biological activities, namely antibacterial, antiviral, immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, bone regeneration, and improved metabolic disorder bioactivities, and the associated potential mechanisms of lactoferrin are summarized with the aim of providing a reference for the development of lactoferrin-related products.

Graphical abstract: A review of the biological activities of lactoferrin: mechanisms and potential applications

Article information

Article type
Review Article
Submitted
04 5 2024
Accepted
08 7 2024
First published
13 7 2024

Food Funct., 2024,15, 8182-8199

A review of the biological activities of lactoferrin: mechanisms and potential applications

R. Hong, A. Xie, C. Jiang, Y. Guo, Y. Zhang, J. Chen, X. Shen, M. Li and X. Yue, Food Funct., 2024, 15, 8182 DOI: 10.1039/D4FO02083A

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