The Role of Plant Extracts in the Prevention of Obesity: From Traditional Wisdom to Modern Science

İçeri

Obesity has become a global health crisis, driving research into natural alternatives for weight management. Plant extracts offer promising anti-obesity effects through multiple biological pathways, including appetite suppression, lipid metabolism modulation, and adipogenesis inhibition. This article reviews key plant-derived compounds, their mechanisms of action, and clinical evidence supporting their use in obesity prevention.

Effective Plant Extracts and Their Mechanisms

Table 1: Key Anti-Obesity Plant Extracts and Their Bioactive Components

Clinical Evidence for Anti-Obesity Effects

Table 2: Efficacy of Plant Extracts in Human Studies

Key Mechanisms of Action

Appetite Regulation

Hoodia gordonii mimics glucose effects on hypothalamic neurons, reducing hunger signals.

Fiber-rich extracts (e.g., Plantago psyllium) promote satiety via gastric distension.

Lipid Metabolism Modulation

EGCG activates AMPK, increasing fatty acid β-oxidation.

HCA inhibits citrate lyase, blocking de novo lipogenesis.

Adipogenesis Inhibition

Curcumin downregulates PPAR-γ and C/EBPα, preventing adipocyte differentiation.

Resveratrol (from grapes) activates SIRT1. promoting lipolysis.

Gut Microbiome Influence

Berberine (from Berberis vulgaris) alters gut microbiota, improving energy harvest efficiency.

Safety and Considerations

Synephrine (bitter orange) may increase heart rate; caution in hypertensive patients.

High-dose EGCG (>800 mg/day) may cause hepatotoxicity in sensitive individuals.

HCA may interact with diabetes medications due to glucose-lowering effects.

Conclusion

Plant extracts provide multi-target approaches to obesity prevention, offering advantages over single-mechanism pharmaceuticals. Combining extracts with complementary mechanisms (e.g., EGCG + curcumin) may enhance efficacy. Further clinical trials are needed to standardize dosing and evaluate long-term safety.