The 7+ Benefits of Rubiscolins (Opioid Peptide From Rubisco)

Rubiscolins are naturally occurring opioid peptides that come from Spinach.

In this post, we will discuss the benefits of Rubsicolin (-5 and -6) and their mechanism of action.

Rubiscolin is one reason why you should eat your dark leafy greens.

Consisting of approximately 30–50% of soluble protein in green leaves of plants, rubiscolin is known to be the most abundant protein on earth. R

Rubiscolin is an opioid peptide derived from d-ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (Rubisco), a major protein found in green leaves which is responsible for carbon dioxide fixation and photorespiration of plants. R R

Rubiscolin-5 and Rubiscolin-6 can bind to both δ-opioid receptor (DOR) and μ-opioid receptor (MOR), while rubiscolin-6 shows higher affinity to the DOR compared to the MOR. R R R

1. Combats Pain

Rubiscolin-6 has an analgelsic effect and may help with pain. R

2. Improves Glucose Tolerance And Diabetes

Opioid receptors can control glucose homeostasis in skeletal muscle independent of insulin action. R

For example, in cell cultures, addition of rubiscolin-6 has shown to increases glucose uptake in skeletal muscle, potentially (by increasing AMPK and GLUT4 translocation) dependently of opioid receptors. R

Therefore, rubiscolin-6 may be useful for treating Diabetes. R

3. Enhances Memory

In contrast to other opioids, Rubiscolin-6 may improve memory (opioids are mostly reported to impair learning and memory). R

For example, mice eating rubiscolin-6 (100mg/kg) from spinach had enhanced memory consolidation (via DOR) after oral administration. R

4. May Reduce Anxiety

By activating Sigma1 (σ1R) and Dopamine D1 (DRD1) receptors, rubiscolin (at 100 mg/kg in mice) can reduce anxiety. R

5. Improves Food Intake And Ghrelin Resistance

By acting on opioid receptors, rubiscolin-6 can act as an orexigenic compound and improve food intake (increases COX-2 and PGDS), while reducing intake of a high-fat diet. R R

Rubiscolin-6 may also combat ghrelin resistance. R

For example, in mice with ghrelin resistance, rubiscolin-6 could stimulate food intake (via NPY and ghrelin). R

6. Protects The Liver

Rubiscolin can protect liver cells from excess oxidative stress and increase Glutathione (GSH), Catalase (CAT) and Superoxide Dismutase-1 (SOD-1). R

7. May Prevent Proteopathy

Rubiscolin-5 may help with Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER) stress and prevent proteopathies. R

I will eat handfuls of spinach as a snack and I do notice it improves my overall mood.

I’ve also been adding spinach powder to my smoothies and italian dishes.

Rubisoclin-6 is a protein of green leaves so eating and green leafy veggies would be a good source:

• Soybeans R

• Spinach (although watch out as it can be high in oxaltes) R

Simple:

• Increases AMPK R

• Increases CAT R

• Increases COX-2 R

• Increases DRD1 R

• Increases DOR R R R

• Increases Ghrelin R

• Increases GLUT4 R

• Increases GSH R

• Increases MOR R R R

• Increases NPY R

• Increases PGDS R

• Increases σ1R R

• Increases SOD1 R

• Reduces ROS R

Advanced:

• The anxiolytic-like activity of rubiscolin-6 is mediated as follows: rubiscolin-6 → d opioid receptor → endogenous s1 ligand → s1 receptor → dopamine → D1 receptor → anxiolyticlike effect. R

• YPMDLV was nearly 20 times more potent than rubiscolin-6 in MVD assay (see study for amino acid chain). R

• Rubiscolin–5 and –6 activate G-protein signaling at δ opioid receptors. R

• Rubiscolin–5 and –6 only weakly recuits β-arrestin 2. R

• Rubiscolin can inhibit forskolin induced cAMP. R