Nanoparticles Containing Tamarind Isolate Protein Potentiate the Satiety without Promoting the Anti-Inflammatory Effect in a Preclinical Model of Diet-Induced Obesity

Abstract

The study aimed to evaluate the nanoparticles (ECW) containing tamarind trypsin inhibitor (TTI) concerning the storage effect under different conditions on antitrypsin activity and the bioactive potential in a preclinical model. ECW was exposed to different pH and temperatures to evaluate the interaction between TTI and its encapsulating agents, monitored by antitrypsin activity. Wistar rats (n = 25) with obesity induced by diet were divided into groups: untreated; treatment with nutritionally adequate diet; treatment with nutritionally adequate diet and ECW/12.5 mg/kg; treatment with ECW/12.5 mg/kg; and treatment with TTI/25 mg/kg. The groups were evaluated over ten days with regards to satiety, zoometric, biochemical, and inflammatory parameters, using ten times less TTI (2.5 mg/kg) contained in ECW. TTI was protected and encapsulated in ECW without showing residual inhibitory activity. Only at gastric pH did ECW show antitrypsin activity. At different temperatures, it showed high antitrypsin activity, similar to TTI. The animals treated with ECW had significantly reduced body weight variation (p < 0.05), and only TTI treatment reduced the inflammatory parameters significantly (p < 0.05). The study showed that by using lower concentrations of TTI in ECW it was possible to perceive promising effects with perspectives of use in functional products for managing obesity and its complications.

Encapsulated Peptides and Proteins with an Effect on Satiety

“…Among the studies, two were performed with peptides encapsulated in liposomes, with an in vivo study using mice with obesity induced by a high-fat diet [ 29 , 30 ]. For studies with proteins, two studies were found, in which the researchers used liposomes and polymeric nanoparticles, with an in vivo study in mice with obesity induced by a high-fat diet and a high-glycemic-index, high-load diet [ 31 , 32 ]. From these studies, it is possible to identify the limitations of using these molecules as candidates for their use in humans [ 18 , 19 , 26 ].…”

“…Costa et al [ 32 ] investigated the encapsulation of TTI through nanoprecipitation in an organic solvent to obtain efficient polymeric particles. It was observed that the interaction of the active with the encapsulating agents increased the stability of the inhibitor at a neutral pH and potentiated the activity of the protein concerning the effect on weight reduction in Wistar rats with obesity.…”

“…Costa et al [ 32 ] nanoencapsulated the tamarind trypsin inhibitor (TTI) using a combination of chitosan and whey protein (ECW) wall materials and obtained stable nanoparticles, showing solid chemical interactions between the active and the encapsulating agents. ECW was administered to Wistar rats with obesity induced by a high-glycemic-index and high-glycemic-load (HGLI) diet.…”

“…The authors highlighted that the reduction in the weight of animals points to a new action of the inhibitor on obesity [ 32 ]. This effect was only achieved in eutrophic animals treated with unencapsulated TTI [ 69 ].…”

“…Given the potential evidenced by ECW in an in vivo model, understanding the role of this new molecule compared to non-encapsulated TTI on the satietogenic effects in obesity becomes necessary. This review describes a recent study by Costa et al [ 32 ], who encapsulated TTI with chitosan and whey protein to evaluate its action on the consumption and weight of animals fed a high-glycemic-index and -glycemic-load (HGLI) diet.…”