Understanding the role of active components from plant sources in obesity management

• Published in: Journal of the Saudi Society of Agricultural Sciences Vol. 18; no. 2; pp. 168 - 176
• Main Authors: Mir, Shabir Ahmad, Shah, Manzoor Ahmad, Ganai, Shaiq Ahmad, Ahmad, Tariq, Gani, Murtaza
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01.04.2019; Springer
• Subjects: Active components; Adipogenesis; anthocyanins; diabetes; diet; exercise; gene expression; hypertension; inflammation; metabolic syndrome; neoplasms; Obesity; oxidative stress; Polyphenols; risk; secondary metabolites; Polyphenols; Obesity; Active components; Adipogenesis
• ISSN: 1658-077X; 1658-077X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jssas.2017.04.003

Obesity is becoming a worldwide epidemic, associated with the increasing risk of metabolic syndrome, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, hypertension and certain cancers. With a global increase in the prevalence of obesity, both nutrition and exercise play key roles in its prevention and treatment. Plants have been used in the management of a broad spectrum of metabolic dysfunction including obesity owing to the presence of plant-derived secondary metabolites. Plant-derived secondary metabolites are a rich source of natural active components including flavonoids, polyphenols and anthocyanins. Many studies have screened natural anti-obesity compounds in food by checking for inhibition of adipogenesis-inducing gene expression. Several active components from plants have been shown to prevent obesity, indicating that these components may provide a therapeutic approach for preventing or treating obesity. Consumption of diets containing high amounts of active components is a promising strategy for suppression of oxidative stress and inflammation of obese subjects.