Obesity and Natural Products: Mechanisms, Therapeutic Potential, and Future Directions

Over 890 million adults worldwide are currently affected by obesity.

• Obesity is linked to a significantly increased risk of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and metabolic syndrome.
• Pharmacological treatments for obesity often face limitations such as adverse effects, high costs, and suboptimal long-term efficacy.
• Natural products from plants, fruits, and vegetables may offer promising complementary or alternative options for obesity management.
• Bioactive compounds, including polyphenols and flavonoids, could influence multiple mechanisms related to obesity, such as lipid metabolism and appetite regulation.
• Experimental models show that compounds like epigallocatechin-3-gallate and curcumin may have notable anti-obesity effects.
• Standardization and bioavailability of these natural products are ongoing challenges that could hinder their clinical use.

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