Guarana supplementation attenuated obesity, insulin resistance, and adipokines dysregulation induced by a standardized human Western diet via brown adipose tissue activation

Abstract

Obesity is a metabolic disorder associated with adverse health consequences that has increased worldwide at an epidemic rate. This has encouraged many people to utilize nonprescription herbal supplements for weight loss without knowledge of their safety or efficacy. However, mounting evidence has shown that some herbal supplements used for weight loss are associated with adverse effects. Guarana seed powder is a popular nonprescription dietary herb supplement marketed for weight loss, but no study has demonstrated its efficacy or safety when administered alone. Wistar rats were fed four different diets (low‐fat diet and Western diet with or without guarana supplementation) for 18 weeks. Metabolic parameters, gut microbiota changes, and toxicity were then characterized. Guarana seed powder supplementation prevented weight gain, insulin resistance, and adipokine dysregulation induced by Western diet compared with the control diet. Guarana induced brown adipose tissue expansion, mitochondrial biogenesis, uncoupling protein‐1 overexpression, AMPK activation, and minor changes in gut microbiota. Molecular docking suggested a direct activation of AMPK by four guarana compounds tested here. We propose that brown adipose tissue activation is one of the action mechanisms involved in guarana supplementation‐induced weight loss and that direct AMPK activation may underlie this mechanism. In summary, guarana is an attractive potential therapeutic agent to treat obesity.

A Critical Review on the Role of Food and Nutrition in the Energy Balance

“…Guarana exerts an anti-adipogenic activity by down-regulating the expression of pro-adipogenic genes, up-regulating the expression of anti-adipogenic genes and increasing β-catenin nuclear translocation, which may contribute to adipogenesis inhibition [179]. Guarana induced BAT expansion, mitochondrial biogenesis, UCP1 overexpression, AMPK activation and minor changes in gut microbiota in rats [178]. Metabolic effects after Guarana supplementation are mainly due to its high caffeine content.…”

“…Two human RCTs reported increased energy expenditure [176] and short-term weight and fat loss [177] after Guarana extract administration. In one animal study, Guarana seed powder supplementation prevented weight gain, insulin resistance and adipokine dysregulation induced by a Western diet [178]. However, conclusive results regarding Guarana supplementation on weight management are still lacking.…”

Current Evidence to Propose Different Food Supplements for Weight Loss: A Comprehensive Review

“…Guarana is a native plant from the Amazon, where it is traditionally brewed as a drink. Its fruit and seed are rich in catechins and methylxantines, that inhibit adipogenesis [153], promote browning in animal models [154], and stimulate energy expenditure in humans [155]. Their use as nutraceutical supplement for weight loss and as stimulant is widely spread.…”

Comprehensive Study of Scientific Evidence and Potential Risk of Herbal Medicine Use for Body Weight Reduction in North West Saudi Arabia

“…Pharmacological approaches comprise several weight-loss drugs. However, the pharmacological approach utilizes many nonprescription herbals for weight loss without knowledge of their safety or efficacy [8].…”