Guarana (Paullinia cupana) Stimulates Mitochondrial Biogenesis in Mice Fed High-Fat Diet

Guarana (Paullinia cupana) as a potential tool for mesenchymal stromal cells priming in regenerative medicine

Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) have therapeutic potential due to their abilities of differentiation, immunomodulation, and migration to injured tissues, potentiating such effects when cells are activated. Guarana (Paullinia cupana) is a tropical plant species found in South America that is known for its antioxidant, stimulant, and cicatricial effects. The guarana extract is composed of many substances and caffeine is the main component. The objective was to evaluate the effects of guarana and caffeine on MSCs. After the initial characterization, MSCs were treated with Paullinia cupana (10, 100, and 1000 μg/mL) or caffeine (0.4, 4, and 40 μg/mL) for 24 h. MSCs treatment with 1000 μg/mL guarana increased cell polarity, viability, cell migration to chemoattractant, antioxidant potential, and liberation of extracellular vesicles (EVs), while it reduced the levels of autophagy. MSCs treated with 100 and 1000 μg/mL guarana or 40 μg/mL caffeine showed a decrease of cell proliferation. No treatment affected the cellular area and cell cycle of MSCs. The study shows in vitro evidence that guarana could be a promising alternative for activating MSCs to promote better cellular products for future clinical therapies.

Population Genetic Analysis of Fusarium decemcellulare, a Guaraná Pathogen, Reveals High Genetic Diversity in the Amazonas State, Brazil

Guaraná is indigenous to the Brazilian Amazon where it has cultural and agroeconomic significance. However, its cultivation is constrained by a disease termed oversprouting of guaraná caused by Fusarium decemcellulare, with yield losses reaching as high as 100%. The disease can affect different parts of the plant, causing floral hypertrophy and hyperplasia, stem galls, and oversprouting of vegetative buds. To date, no study has been conducted characterizing the genetic diversity and population structure of this pathogen. Here, we report genetic diversity and genetic structure among 224 isolates from eight guaraná production areas of Amazonas State, Brazil, that were genotyped using a set of 10 inter-simple-sequence repeat (ISSR) markers. Despite moderate gene diversity (Hexp = 0.21 to 0.32), genotypic diversity was at or near maximum (223 multilocus genotypes among 224 isolates). Population genetic analysis of the 10 ISSR marker fragments with STRUCTURE software identified two populations designated C1 and C2 within the F. decemcellulare collection from the eight sites. Likewise, UPGMA hierarchical clustering and discriminant analysis of principal components of the strains from guaraná resolved these same two groups. Analysis of molecular variance demonstrated that 71% of genetic diversity occurred within the C1 and C2 populations. A pairwise comparison of sampling sites for both genetic populations revealed that 59 of 66 were differentiated from one another (P < 0.05), and high and significant gene flow was detected only between sampling sites assigned to the same genetic population. The presence of MAT1-1 and MAT1-2 strains, in conjunction with the high genotypic diversity and no significant linkage disequilibrium, suggests that each population of F. decemcellulare might be undergoing sexual reproduction. Isolation by distance was not observed (R² = 0.02885, P > 0.05), which suggests that human-mediated movement of seedlings may have played a role in shaping the F. decemcellulare genetic structure in Amazonas State, Brazil.

The combination of metformin with morin alleviates hepatic steatosis via modulating hepatic lipid metabolism, hepatic inflammation, brown adipose tissue thermogenesis, and white adipose tissue browning in high-fat diet-fed mice

AIM

The valuable effects of metformin (MET) and morin (MOR) in the improvement of NAFLD have been proposed, nevertheless, their combination impacts were not investigated so far. We determined the therapeutic effects of combined MET and MOR treatment in high-fat diet (HFD)-induced Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) mice.

METHODS

C57BL/6 mice were fed on an HFD for 15 weeks. Animals were allotted into various groups and supplemented with MET (230 mg/kg), MOR (100 mg/kg), and MET + MOR (230 mg/kg + 100 mg/kg).

KEY FINDINGS

MET in combination with MOR reduced body and liver weight in HFD-fed mice. A significant decrease in fasting blood glucose and improvement in glucose tolerance was observed in HFD mice treated with MET + MOR. Supplementation with MET + MOR led to a decline in hepatic triglyceride levels and this impact was associated with diminished expression of fatty-acid synthase (FAS) and elevated expression of carnitine palmitoyl transferase 1 (CPT1) and phospho-Acetyl-CoA Carboxylase (p-ACC). Moreover, MET combined with MOR alleviates hepatic inflammation through the polarization of macrophages to the M2 phenotype, decreasing the infiltration of macrophages and lowering the protein level of NF-kB. MET and MOR in combination reduce the size and weight of epididymal white adipose tissue (eWAT), and subcutaneous WAT (sWAT), whereas improves cold tolerance, BAT activity, and mitochondrial biogenesis. Combination therapy results in stimulating brown-like adipocyte (beige) formation in the sWAT of HFD mice.

SIGNIFICANCE

These results suggest that the combination of MET and MOR has a protective effect on hepatic steatosis, which may use as a candidate therapeutic for the improvement of NAFLD.

Amazonian fruits with potential effects on COVID-19 by inflammaging modulation: A narrative review

The COVID-19 pandemic had a great impact on the mortality of older adults and, chronic non- transmissible diseases (CNTDs) patients, likely previous inflammaging condition that is common in these subjects. It is possible that functional foods could attenuate viral infection conditions such as SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2), the causal agent of COVID-19 pandemic. Previous evidence suggested that some fruits consumed by Amazonian Diet from Pre-Colombian times could present relevant proprieties to decrease of COVID-19 complications such as oxidative-cytokine storm. In this narrative review we identified five potential Amazonian fruits: açai berry (Euterpe oleracea), camu-camu (Myrciaria dubia), cocoa (Theobroma cacao), Brazil nuts (Bertholletia excelsa), and guaraná (Paullinia cupana). Data showed that these Amazonian fruits present antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and other immunomodulatory activities that could attenuate the impact of inflammaging states that potentially decrease the evolution of COVID-19 complications. The evidence compiled here supports the complementary experimental and clinical studies exploring these fruits as nutritional supplement during COVID-19 infection. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: These fruits, in their natural form, are often limited to their region, or exported to other places in the form of frozen pulp or powder. But there are already some companies producing food supplements in the form of capsules, in the form of oils and even functional foods enriched with these fruits. This practice is common in Brazil and tends to expand to the international market.

Nutraceuticals and the Network of Obesity Modulators

Obesity is considered an increasingly widespread disease in the world population, regardless of age and gender. Genetic but also lifestyle-dependent causes have been identified. Nutrition and physical exercise play an important role, especially in non-genetic obesity. In a three-compartment model, the body is divided into fat mass, fat-free mass and water, and obesity can be considered a condition in which the percentage of total fat mass is in excess. People with a high BMI index or overweight use self-medications, such as food supplements or teas, with the aim to prevent or treat their problem. Unfortunately, there are several obesity modulators that act both on the pathways that promote adipogenesis and those that inhibit lipolysis. Moreover, these pathways involve different tissues and organs, so it is very difficult to identify anti-obesity substances. A network of factors and cells contributes to the accumulation of fat in completely different body districts. The identification of natural anti-obesity agents should consider this network, which we would like to call "obesosome". The nutrigenomic, nutrigenetic and epigenetic contribute to making the identification of active compounds very difficult. This narrative review aims to highlight nutraceuticals that, in vitro or in vivo, showed an anti-obesity activity or were found to be useful in the control of dysfunctions which are secondary to obesity. The results suggest that it is not possible to use a single compound to treat obesity, but that the studies have to be addressed towards the identification of mixtures of nutraceuticals.

Therapeutic roles of plants for 15 hypothesised causal bases of Alzheimer's disease

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is progressive and ultimately fatal, with current drugs failing to reverse and cure it. This study aimed to find plant species which may provide therapeutic bioactivities targeted to causal agents proposed to be driving AD. A novel toolkit methodology was employed, whereby clinical symptoms were translated into categories recognized in ethnomedicine. These categories were applied to find plant species with therapeutic effects, mined from ethnomedical surveys. Survey locations were mapped to assess how this data is at risk. Bioactivities were found of therapeutic relevance to 15 hypothesised causal bases for AD. 107 species with an ethnological report of memory improvement demonstrated therapeutic activity for all these 15 causal bases. The majority of the surveys were found to reside within biodiversity hotspots (centres of high biodiversity under threat), with loss of traditional knowledge the most common threat. Our findings suggest that the documented plants provide a large resource of AD therapeutic potential. In demonstrating bioactivities targeted to these causal bases, such plants may have the capacity to reduce or reverse AD, with promise as drug leads to target multiple AD hallmarks. However, there is a need to preserve ethnomedical knowledge, and the habitats on which this knowledge depends.

Effects of the consumption of guarana on human health: A narrative review

Guarana (Paullinia cupana) is a plant from the Amazon region with cultural importance. Despite its early ancestral use by indigenous tribes, the first reports regarding the benefits of guarana consumption for human health were published in the 19th century. Since then, the use of guarana seed in powder and extract forms has been studied for its diverse effects on human health, such as stimulating, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anticancer, hypocholesterolemic, and anti-obesity effects. These effects are attributed to the high content of bioactive compounds found in guarana seeds, especially methylxanthines and flavonoids. In fact, the Brazilian Food Supplement Law has officially acknowledged guarana as a source of bioactive compounds. The number and diversity of studies focused on guarana and human health are increasing; thus, organizing and describing the available evidence on guarana and its applications is necessary to provide a framework for future studies. In this narrative review, we have organized the available information regarding guarana and its potential effects on human health. Guarana produces unique fruits with great potential for human health applications. However, the available evidence lacks human studies and mechanistic investigations. Future studies should be designed considering its applicability to human health, including intake levels and toxicity studies.

Effects of long-term consumption of sucralose associated with high-fat diet in male mice

Sucralose is a widely consumed non-nutritive sweetener (NNS). Studies have shown that some NNS can favor weight gain by altering the intestinal microbiota, satiety hormone production, or aspects related to glucose homeostasis. In this study, we investigated the effects of ad libitum sucralose consumption in mice fed with normal or high-fat diet (HFD) for an extended period (16 weeks). Weight gain, final body composition, energy expenditure, intestinal and pancreatic hormone production, and endotoxemia during a voracity test, as well as liver and skeletal muscles were evaluated after 16 weeks. We observed that sucralose supplementation reduced weight gain in HFD-fed mice but did not change weight gain in mice fed with normal diet. The evaluation of HFD mice showed that sucralose supplementation resulted in improvements in glycemic homeostasis, hepatic steatosis, and increased energy expenditure. Our results suggest that sucralose consumption promotes different outcomes in relation to weight gain when combined with different diets, which may explain the controversial data in previous studies, and can be considered in future clinical research aimed at clarifying the impact of NNS consumption on human health.

Remedying the Mitochondria to Cure Human Diseases by Natural Products

Mitochondria are the ‘engine' of cells. Mitochondrial dysfunction is an important mechanism in many human diseases. Many natural products could remedy the mitochondria to alleviate mitochondria-involved diseases. In this review, we summarized the current knowledge of the relationship between the mitochondria and human diseases and the regulation of natural products to the mitochondria. We proposed that the development of mitochondrial regulators/nutrients from natural products to remedy mitochondrial dysfunction represents an attractive strategy for a mitochondria-involved disorder therapy. Moreover, investigating the mitochondrial regulation of natural products can potentiate the in-depth comprehension of the mechanism of action of natural products.

Fungal Endophytic Community Associated with Guarana (Paullinia cupana Var. Sorbilis): Diversity Driver by Genotypes in the Centre of Origin

Guarana plant is a native of the Amazon region. Due to its high amount of caffeine and tannins, the seed has medicinal and stimulating properties. The guarana industry has grown exponentially in recent years; however, little information is available about associated mycobiota, particularly endophytic fungi. The present study aimed to compare the distribution and diversity of endophytic fungi associated with the leaves and seeds of anthracnose-resistant and susceptible guarana plants produced in Maués and Manaus, Amazonas State, Brazil. A total of 7514 endophytic fungi were isolated on Potato Dextrose Agar, Sabouraud and Czapek media, and grouped into 77 morphological groups. Overall, fungal communities in guarana leaves and seeds were mainly composed by Colletotrichum and Fusarium genera, but also by Chondrostereum, Clonostachys, Curvularia, Hypomontagnella, Lentinus, Neopestalotiopsis, Nigrospora, Peroneutypa, Phyllosticta, Simplicillium and Tinctoporellus. Obtained results indicate that some members of Colletotrichum and Fusarium genera may have experienced dysbiosis during the guarana domestication process, suggesting that some individuals may behave as latent pathogens. The susceptible guarana genotype cultivated in Manaus presented higher fungal diversity. The relative abundance of taxa and diversity among samples suggests that communities are structured by genotype and geographic location. This is the first report of mycobiota in both guarana leaves and seeds.

Biological Effects of Paullinia cupana (Guarana) in Combination with Whole-Body Vibration Exercise in Wistar Rats

In addition to its nutritional value, Paullinia cupana (guarana) is commonly used in traditional medicine, known for its stimulant and medicinal properties. This investigation evaluated the effects of a guarana extract in combination with whole-body vibration (WBV) exercises on Wistar rats. Rats (male, n = 20) were divided into the following four groups: control (CON), treated with guarana (GUA), submitted to 50 Hz of WBV (WBV-E), treated with guarana and submitted to 50 Hz of WBV (GUA + WBV-E), daily for 6-weeks. Guarana altered (p < 0.05) the uptake of the radiopharmaceutical sodium pertechnetate (Na99mTcO4) in muscle. Additionally, it modified the stool consistency, and in combination with WBV decreased the food intake without modifying body mass. The levels of calcium increased in the groups submitted to WBV exercises (WBV-E and GUA + WBV-E) as compared with the GUA group. The outcomes provide additional evidence of the biological effects of guarana separately or in combination with WBV and supports the use of guarana as a functional food.

Insoluble-Bound Polyphenols Released from Guarana Powder: Inhibition of Alpha-Glucosidase and Proanthocyanidin Profile

The Brazilian Food Supplement Law recently recognized that guarana (Paullinia cupana) contains bioactive substances, hence supporting its role as a functional food ingredient. The health benefits of guarana are associated, at least in part, to its phenolic compounds. However, to the best of our knowledge, there is no literature addressing the presence of phenolic compounds in the fraction containing insoluble-bound compounds and its contribution in terms of alpha-glucosidase inhibition. The concentration of phenolic extracts released from the insoluble-bound fraction required to inhibit 50% of alpha-glucosidase (IC₅₀) activity was 5.8-fold lower than that present in the soluble counterpart. Both fractions exhibited a mixed inhibition mode. Fourteen proanthocyanidins (dimers to tetramers) present in the insoluble-bound fraction were tentatively identified by MALDi-TOF-MS. Future studies aiming at increasing the concentration of the soluble counterpart are deemed necessary. The results presented here enhance the phenolic database of guarana and have a practical impact on the procurement of nutraceuticals and functional ingredients related to the prevention and/or management of type 2 diabetes. The Brazilian normative on food supplements has been recently revised. This study lends support to the future inclusion of guarana powder in the list of sources of proanthocyanidins for the industry of food supplements.

Nutritional Interventions for Treating Cancer-Related Fatigue: A Qualitative Review

Cancer-related fatigue (CRF) is a debilitating syndrome that persists for many cancer survivors for years after treatment. Symptoms include early and persistent fatigue, functional decline, depression, and cognitive difficulties. Inflammation, assessed using pro-inflammatory biomarkers, is increased in cancer survivors with fatigue and treatments for fatigue are often aimed at reducing inflammation. Additionally, cancer and its treatment lead to nutritional complications, changes in body composition, and nutritional deficiencies that potentially weaken the cancer survivor and impact CRF. We conducted a qualitative review of clinical trials that assessed nutritional interventions for preventing and treating CRF. Further studies were examined that used nutritional interventions to address inflammation and fatigue, due to the dearth of nutrition research directly related to CRF. Dietary intake prior to, during, and after cancer treatment appears to affect fatigue levels. Increased protein intake may help preserve lean mass and body composition. Dietary patterns that reduce inflammation, such as the Mediterranean diet and other plant-based diets, appear tolerable to cancer survivors and may reduce fatigue. Supplementation with ginseng, ginger, or probiotics may improve cancer survivors' energy levels. Nutritional interventions, alone or in combination with other interventions should be considered as therapy for fatigue in cancer survivors.

The effect of Guarana (Paullinia cupana) on metabolic and inflammatory parameters in adult male mice programmed by maternal obesity

PURPOSE

Maternal obesity can program the offspring, increasing the risk of overweight and obesity in adult life. Guarana (Paullinia cupana) is a Brazilian plant that has weight-reducing effects. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the effects of Guarana on metabolic and inflammatory parameters in mice programmed by maternal obesity.

METHODS

Swiss female mice were divided into two groups: control and high fat (HF), who received a standard diet or a high-fat diet (HFD), respectively, for 8 weeks prior to mating, gestation, and lactation. After post-natal day (PN) 21, the offspring of the HF group were subdivided into three groups: HF without treatment; HF early treatment, offspring treated with Guarana (1 g/kg bodyweight) in PN25-PN30; HF late treatment, offspring treated with Guarana (1 g/kg bodyweight) in PN65-PN75. Basal energy expenditure, the lipid profile and fasting glucose levels were determined. Body composition was evaluated by dissecting adipose tissue depots. Gene expression was analyzed using real-time PCR.

RESULTS

During mating, the weight of HF females increased; after lactation, their adipose tissue depots and fasting glycemic levels also increased. The offspring of the HF group showed an increased body weight at PN21. At PN80, in the mice treated with Guarana (with both treatments), VO₂ and energy expenditure increased, adipose tissue depots decreased, and the expression of leptin, IL-6, TNF-α, and MCP-1 decreased compared with that in the HF group.

CONCLUSIONS

Guarana treatment at both stages of life reversed some of the alterations developed by the offspring of HF animals in adult life.