Bromelain partially reversed obesity-related disruptions in brain energy-regulating pathways in rats fed a high-fat diet.
Restored GLUT2Bromelain reversed the high-fat diet-induced downregulation of glucose transporter 2 in the hypothalamus
What the researchers found
Bromelain restored GLUT2 and normalized POMC and IGF1R expression in hypothalamic tissue of obese rats.
Why it matters
Central (brain) regulation of appetite and metabolism is disrupted in obesity. Natural compounds that restore this regulation could complement weight-loss therapies.
The numbers in context
- 36 male Wistar rats in 4 groups of 9
- Bromelain dose: 200 mg/kg/day orally for 1 month
- GLUT2 downregulated by HFD, significantly restored by bromelain
- POMC elevated by HFD, normalized by bromelain
- IGF1R elevated by HFD, reduced by bromelain
- NPY and FGF2: no significant changes with bromelain
How the study worked
Preclinical study in 36 male Wistar rats across 4 diet/treatment groups with hypothalamic ELISA analysis.
Who was studied
N=36 male Wistar albino rats in 4 groups. High-fat diet for 3 months, followed by bromelain 200 mg/kg/day orally for 1 month.
What this study cannot tell us
Animal study with a small number of subjects per group. Short treatment duration. Cannot be directly translated to human obesity treatment.
How to read the evidence
Preclinical animal study. Interesting but early-stage. Human relevance needs investigation.
When this study was published
Published in 2025.
The bigger picture
Natural anti-inflammatory compounds like bromelain may offer complementary approaches to managing obesity by acting on brain metabolic pathways.
Questions still open
- Would bromelain show similar brain effects in humans?
- Could bromelain enhance the effects of GLP-1 receptor agonists?
Common questions
Can bromelain help with weight loss?
What is bromelain?
Read the original research
Bromelain Improves Hypothalamic Control of Energy Homeostasis in High-Fat Diet-Induced Obese Rats.
Current issues in molecular biology, 47(8)
Citation
Ozen Koca, Raviye; Basaran, Mustafa Berk; Solak, Hatice; Solak Gormus, Zulfikare Isik. (2025). Bromelain Improves Hypothalamic Control of Energy Homeostasis in High-Fat Diet-Induced Obese Rats.. Current issues in molecular biology, 47(8). https://doi.org/10.3390/cimb47080607