A revolutionary discovery by Stanford scientists has unveiled a natural alternative to Ozempic for weight loss—without the common side effects. This naturally occurring molecule, known as BRP, has shown promising results in animal studies, reducing appetite and promoting fat loss in a way similar to semaglutide (the active ingredient in Ozempic). However, BRP works through a different metabolic pathway, potentially making it a safer and more targeted obesity treatment.
What Is BRP?
BRP is a 12-amino acid peptide that scientists identified using artificial intelligence. Unlike semaglutide, which affects multiple organs—including the gut and pancreas—BRP appears to act specifically in the brain’s hypothalamus, which regulates appetite and metabolism. This could mean fewer side effects like nausea and muscle loss, which are common with existing weight-loss drugs.
The AI-Powered Discovery
Stanford researchers used an advanced AI algorithm called Peptide Predictor to sift through thousands of human proteins. They focused on prohormones, a class of biologically inactive molecules that can be converted into active hormones. The AI helped them narrow down their search to 373 prohormones with potential metabolic effects.
Among them, BRP stood out, increasing neuronal activity ten times more than GLP-1 (the hormone mimicked by Ozempic). This finding suggested BRP might be even more effective at reducing appetite without unwanted digestive side effects.
How Effective Is BRP?
Animal trials have been promising:
- Mice and minipigs injected with BRP ate 50% less food within an hour.
- Obese mice treated with BRP for 14 days lost significant fat mass, while untreated mice continued to gain weight.
- BRP improved glucose and insulin tolerance, suggesting potential benefits for diabetes management.
- Unlike Ozempic, BRP did not cause nausea, anxiety, or reduced movement.
Why This Matters
Semaglutide-based drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy have gained popularity for their ability to help with weight loss. However, they come with drawbacks, including nausea, constipation, and muscle loss. Since BRP works through a different pathway, it may provide an alternative for those who cannot tolerate existing treatments.
What’s Next?
Stanford researchers are now working to:
- Identify which receptors in the brain BRP binds to.
- Develop longer-lasting versions of BRP to make dosing more convenient.
- Conduct human trials to confirm safety and effectiveness.
If BRP proves successful in clinical trials, it could revolutionize obesity treatment by offering a natural, well-tolerated alternative to Ozempic. This breakthrough could provide millions of people with a new tool for sustainable weight loss—without the burden of harsh side effects.
Final Thoughts
The discovery of BRP highlights the power of AI in medical research and the potential for new, safer weight-loss solutions. With further development, this “Natural Ozempic” could become a game-changer for obesity treatment worldwide.
Reference
Coassolo, L., Danneskiold-Samsøe, N. B., Nguyen, Q., Wiggenhorn, A., Zhao, M., Wang, D. C.-H., Toomer, D., Lone, J., Wei, Y., Patel, A., Liparulo, I., Kavi, D., Wat, L. W., Reghupaty, S. C., Kim, J. J., Asemi, T., Bielczyk-Maczynska, E., Li, V. L., Moya-Garzon, M. D., Krentz, N. A. J., Stahl, A., Chou, D. H.-C., Luo, L., & Svensson, K. J. (2025). Prohormone cleavage prediction uncovers a non-incretin anti-obesity peptide. Nature. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-025-08683-y
