A review on the potential use of natural products in overweight and obesity

Abstract

With the increase in unhealthy lifestyles, obesity is increasingly common, which could cause many metabolic diseases. In recent research, natural product extracts have shown tremendous potential antiobesity effects via different mechanisms. In this review, we focused on widely adopted extraction methods, bioactive ingredients types, and antiobesity mechanisms of natural product extracts in the recent reports. The extraction methods include solid-liquid extraction, microwave-assisted extractions, and supercritical fluid extraction. Moreover, the bioactive ingredients identified in natural product extracts are phenolic compounds, oligosaccharides, polysaccharides, and terpenoids. These exert antiobesity effects through multiple mechanisms, including suppressing the appetite, increasing energy expenditure, inhibiting enzyme activity, modulating lipid homeostasis and adipocyte lifecycle, reducing oxidative and inflammation, and improving intestinal bacteria. However, the antiobesity effects of natural products require further evaluation. Furthermore, the improvement of the bioavailability and effective and safe human dose of these bioactive ingredients should be the focus of future work.

Investigation on the Mechanisms of Zanthoxylum bungeanum for Treating Diabetes Mellitus Based on Network Pharmacology, Molecular Docking, and Experiment Verification

“…It was reported that the PI3K-AKT signaling pathway may inhibit the gluconeogenesis pathway and reduce the output of glucose, thereby exerting a hypoglycemic effect in db/db mice [ 26 ]. Previous studies have reported that Zanthoxylum bungeanum extract may play a hypoglycemic effect by downregulating PGC-1 α in the liver [ 27 ]. Inflammation is closely related to the occurrence and development of diabetes.…”

Chemical Characterization and Biological Activities of Jandaíra Stingless Bee Products (Melipona subnitida, Ducke, 1911): A Brief Review

“…Some studies report that these products may exert effects through multiple mechanisms, including appetite suppression, interfering with nutrient absorption, decreasing adipogenesis, increasing energy expenditure (thermogenesis), modifying the intestinal microbiota, composition and increasing excretion of fecal fat. [53,54] Studies on the anti-obesity potential of M. subnitida products are scarce, and this effect was investigated only for its honey.…”

Anthocyanins from Lycium ruthenicum Murray Prevent High-Fat Diet-Induced Obesity in Female Mice via Gut Microbiota-Related Bile Acids Metabolism

“…However, compared to weight-loss drugs and bariatric surgery, dietary intervention is often considered more convenient, safe, and sustainable. 11 Recently, polyphenolic compounds such as anthocyanins have shown considerable potential anti-obesity effects through different mechanisms. Anthocyanins are widely present in various plants, including sour cherry, cranberry, black beans, blueberry, sweet cherry, strawberry, and pomegranate.…”