Common names | Guarana
Scientific name | Paullinia cupana
Used part | Seed
Known active compounds | caffeine, catechin, epicatechin, procyanidin 

Potential benefits in cosmetics | anti-oxidant, anti-microbial
Product name | Guarana Seed-ANB

 

 

Plant Story

Guarana (Paullinia cupana) is a climbing plant native to the Amazon basin. The name ‘guarana’ comes from the Guarani word ‘guara-ná’, which was from Sateré-Maué word ‘warana’, meaning ‘fruit like the eyes of the people’. Its seeds are the most widely used part of guarana, commonly in energy drinks due to its high caffeine content. Guarana seed has been used since pre-Columbian times for medicinal purposes including as a stimulant of the nervous system, an antidiarrheal, diuretic, and antineuralgic agent, and a febrifuge, as well as to treat migraine.

 

Guarana seed is a rich source of caffeine. In addition, other compounds such as catechin, epicatechin, and procyanidin have also been identified in guarana seed. Guarana seed extract showed anti-oxidant activity in fibroblast NIH-3T3 cells exposed to sodium nitroprusside by lowering cell mortality, lipid peroxidation, and DNA damage, as well as increasing superoxide dismutase level. Guarana seed also exhibited anti-microbial activity against Escherichia coli, Proteus mirabilis, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Moreover, guarana extract had a lower MIC value compared to penicillin or tetracycline for these bacteria.