The modulatory effect and the mechanism of flavonoids on obesity

Abstract

With the improvement of living standards, obesity has become a serious health problem all over the word. Currently, the methods and drugs for obesity treatment have some limitations and side effects. Flavonoids are active constituents with various biological activities, widely found in plants, and numerous studies have shown that flavonoids can inhibit obesity and related metabolism disorders effectively. This perspective reviews the recent progress in understanding the anti‐obesity effects of flavonoids through modulating food intake, enzyme activities, nutrition absorption, adipogenesis and adipocyte lifecycle, thermogenesis, energy consumption, and intestinal microbiota. Practical applications Natural bioactive substance flavonoids have anti‐obesity property, which may play a role in anti‐obesity drugs or functional food without any side effects. Flavonoids can inhibit weight gain directly or through their biologically active metabolites by various potential pathways. A better understanding of the modulatory effect and the mechanism of flavonoids on obesity will allow us to better utilize flavonoids in plants to treat obesity and related metabolic syndrome.

Saskatoon Berry Amelanchier alnifolia Regulates Glucose Metabolism and Improves Cardiovascular and Liver Signs of Diet-Induced Metabolic Syndrome in Rats

“…Possible mechanisms include suppression of inflammatory responses, modulation of gene expression (including for antioxidant defences), cell signalling and mRNA expression [26]. Flavonoids also modulate obesity by mechanisms including regulation of food intake, nutrition absorption, adipogenesis, adipocyte lifecycle, thermogenesis, energy consumption and gut microbiota [29]. Flavonoids improve endothelial function, improve peripheral and cerebral blood flow and reduce blood pressure in humans [29], possibly through modulation of the nitric oxide system [30] and bi-directional relationships with the gut microbiota [31].…”

“…Flavonoids also modulate obesity by mechanisms including regulation of food intake, nutrition absorption, adipogenesis, adipocyte lifecycle, thermogenesis, energy consumption and gut microbiota [29]. Flavonoids improve endothelial function, improve peripheral and cerebral blood flow and reduce blood pressure in humans [29], possibly through modulation of the nitric oxide system [30] and bi-directional relationships with the gut microbiota [31]. Phenolic acids such as chlorogenic acid may regulate glucose and lipid metabolism in cardiovascular disease, diabetes, liver steatosis and obesity [32].…”

Protective effect of leaf extract of Abutilon indicum on DNA damage and peripheral blood lymphocytes in combating the oxidative stress

“…Abutilon indicum extract enhances the cell survival by eliminating ROS which helps the cells to maintain resistance and combat against oxidative stress and increases cell survival ( Mata et al, 2016 ). Recent studies have revealed the cytoprotective efficacy of bioactive compounds from traditional medicinal plant extracts ( Song et al, 2019 , Dhanasekaran et al, 2012 ). The phenolic compounds found in Abutilon indicum are known as powerful chain-breaking antioxidants ( Das et al, 2019 ).…”

Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Potential of Polyphenols Contained in Mediterranean Diet in Obesity: Molecular Mechanisms

“…Flavonoids exert prominent anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory activities through various mechanisms. In addition to their role in food intake regulation and nutrition absorption, a growing body of evidence supports that flavonoids increase adiponectin and AMPK activation and counteract NF-κB and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) signaling pathways, resulting in reduced oxidative damage and inflammation associated with obesity [108][109][110][111]. Out of the main classes of EVOO polyphenols, hydroxytyrosol and its derivative, oleuropein, have been demonstrated to inhibit low-density lipoprotein (LDL) oxidation in vitro and contribute to management of many metabolic disorders, including obesity, through different mechanisms [112][113][114][115].…”