Anti-obesity effects of α-amylase inhibitor enriched-extract from white common beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) associated with the modulation of gut microbiota composition in high-fat diet-induced obese rats

Abstract

α-Amylase inhibitors (α-AI) have great potential to treat obesity.

It’s No Has Bean: A Review of the Effects of White Kidney Bean Extract on Body Composition and Metabolic Health

“…A number of animal studies, with intervention durations ranging from 14 to 238 days, have explored the effects of WKBE on body weight and composition ( Table 1 ). Although not a universal finding [ 29 , 30 , 31 ], several studies have demonstrated significant reductions in body weight or reduced weight gain following the administration of WKBE versus a control [ 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 , 36 , 37 ]. For example, Song et al [ 37 ] reported a significant attenuation in weight gain and reduced visceral fat in mice after 98 days of supplementation with 50 mg/kg/d WKBE alongside a high-fat diet when compared with a high-fat diet alone.…”

“…Interestingly, recent findings from Shi et al [ 32 ] suggest that the anti-obesity effects of WKBE may be both dose- and duration-dependent. The authors reported a significant reduction in body weight in male Sprague Dawley rats receiving the largest dose of WKBE (1.5% addition) for 42 days.…”

“…Interestingly, the food intake was also lower in rats receiving WKBE, suggesting a potential anorexigenic effect of WKBE. A reduced food consumption consequent to WKBE supplementation has been substantiated by some [ 35 , 36 ] but not all investigations in this area [ 32 , 33 , 34 , 38 , 39 ]. Others have also identified potential alterations in gut microbiota composition and bile acid content consequent to WKBE consumption, which might play a role in the anti-obesity effects of this supplement [ 32 , 33 , 37 ], although further research is needed to substantiate this hypothesis.…”

“…Despite the promising findings noted above, not all studies have reported a reduction in body weight/reduced weight gain in animals supplemented with WKBE [ 29 , 30 , 31 ]. Further research is therefore warranted to elucidate specific factors which may account for the disparate findings reported in the literature, which could include the activity, purity, dose and duration of the supplement administered [ 32 ]; the health status and type or breed of animals studied [ 40 ]; and the quality of the research (e.g., the presence/nature of a control group, sample size, blinding of researchers) [ 41 ]. In addition, whilst animal model investigations provide useful insight into the potential effects of WKBE on body composition, it is important to consider how well these findings translate into humans, especially when considering a condition such as obesity, which has a complex and multifaceted aetiology.…”

“…In addition, Micheli et al [ 34 ] reported a significant reduction in insulin, total cholesterol, LDL and circulating triglycerides in the WKBE group when compared with the high-fat control group. Similarly, induced dyslipidaemia increased the cholesterol and triglyceride levels in obese rats, however, following 70 days on a medium and high dose of WKBE, the triglycerides and LDL reduced significantly [ 32 ]. In the latter two studies, a trend for improvements in total cholesterol and High-Density Lipoprotein (HDL) was also observed [ 32 , 34 ].…”