In vivo effects of javamide-I/-II on metabolic, hepatic, cardiovascular and inflammatory risk factors

Authors: Park, Jae; Peters, Renee

Submitted to: Frontiers in Nutrition
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/26/2025
Publication Date: 10/10/2025
Citation: Park, J.B., Peters, R.C. 2025. In vivo effects of javamide-I/-II on metabolic, hepatic, cardiovascular and inflammatory risk factors. Frontiers in Nutrition. 12. Article 1661468. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnut.2025.1661468.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fnut.2025.1661468

Interpretive Summary: Javamide-I/-II (J12) are bioactive phenolic-conjugated tryptophan compounds found in both Arabica and Robusta beans as well as many coffee products in the market. Recent studies suggested that J12 may contain several important biological activities related to human health including anti-inflammatory and anti-cytokine activities in vitro. However, there is still no information about in vivo effects of J12 on inflammatory cytokines and other health risk factors such as metabolic, hepatic and cardiovascular risk factors. Therefore, in this study, potential effects of J12 on metabolic, hepatic, cardiovascular and inflammatory factors (e.g., bodyweight, liver, ALT, AST, growth hormone, IGF-1, sE-selectin, sICAM, TNF-alpha and MCP-1) were investigated in a rodent model. The data suggests that there are no adverse effects on bodyweight and liver. Also, there are no significant effects on ALT, growth hormone, IGF-1, sE-selectin, and sICAM, compared to control group. However, the data indicates that J12 can lower plasma levels of AST. Furthermore, J12 may have potential to lower inflammatory cytokines, TNF-alpha and MCP-1, significantly compared to control group, suggesting that J12 may be potential compounds with beneficial health effects to lower hepatic and inflammatory risk factors (AST, TNF-alpha and MCP-1) in vivo.

Technical Abstract: Background: Javamide-I/-II (J1/J2) are bioactive compounds found in coffee. Recent studies suggest that J1/J2 may possess anti-inflammatory activity. However, there is no information about the effects of J1/J2 on inflammatory cytokines and other health-related factors in vivo. Methods: To investigate the effects of J1/J2 on inflammatory and other health-related factors (metabolic/growth/hepatic/cardiovascular/ risk factors) in vivo, rats were placed into two groups: CG group (a control diet/drinking water, n'='10) and JG group (a normal diet/drinking water containing J1/J2, n'='10). The study was performed for 16'weeks. During the study, bodyweight and water consumption were monitored weekly, and O-red/HE stains, ALT, AST, IGF1, IGF-1, growth hormone, sE-selectin, sICAM, TNF-alpha, and MCP-1 assays were performed using histochemistry and ELISA methods. The amounts of J1/J2 were measured by HPLC. Results: The average daily intakes of J1 and J2 were found to be about 0.13 and 0.38'mg, respectively, and no significant difference in bodyweight was found between the CG and JG groups. Also, O-red/HE stains showed no significant difference between both groups, suggesting that J1/J2 may have no adverse effect on the liver. Also, there was no difference in ALT level between both groups. However, the level of AST was significantly lower in the JG group compared to the CG group (p'<'0.05). Additionally, J1/J2 had no significant effects on growth hormone (GH) and IGF-1 in the JG group, compared to the CG group. Also, there was no significant difference in sE-selectin and sICAM levels between both groups. However, TNF-alpha and MCP-1 levels were significantly lower in the JG group, compared to the CG group (p'<'0.05), suggesting that J1/J2 may have positive effects on these inflammatory cytokines in vivo. Conclusion: J1/J2 may have beneficial effects on hepatic and inflammatory factors (AST, TNF-alpha and MCP-1) without adverse effects on bodyweight, liver, ALT, GH, IGF-1, sE-selectin, and sICAM in rats.