Potential efficacy of preparations deriving from Phaseolus vulgaris in the control of appetite, energy intake, and carbohydrate metabolism.

The present paper reviews preclinical data featuring extracts of and preparations deriving from beans of Phaseolus vulgaris as potential remedies for use in controlling food consumption, body weight, lipid accumulation, and glycemia. A growing body of evidence suggests that acute and chronic administration of Phaseolus vulgaris derivatives reduce food intake (including highly palatable foods), body weight, lipid deposit, and glycemia in rats exposed to multiple experimental procedures. Two possible lectin-mediated mechanisms of action have been proposed: (a) inhibition of ±-amylase, resulting in a reduced carbohydrate metabolism and absorption; (b) phytohaemoagglutinin-induced modulation of the activity of cholecystokinin and glucagon-like peptides, resulting in a reduced appetite. Preliminary clinical data, as well as reports focusing on the use of several traditional medicines, apparently extend these findings to humans. Should these initial clinical data be confirmed by future surveys, Phaseolus vulgaris derivatives might constitute novel remedies for the treatment of overweight and metabolic syndrome. Future studies are also expected to identify active structures leading to the development of new pharmaceutical agents.