Title:Anti-obesity Properties of Phytochemicals: Highlighting their Molecular
Mechanisms against Obesity
Volume: 31
Issue: 1
Author(s): Efthymios Poulios, Stergia Koukounari, Evmorfia Psara, Georgios K. Vasios, Christina Sakarikou and Constantinos Giaginis*
Affiliation:
- Department of Food Science and Nutrition, School of the Environment, University of the Aegean, Myrina,
Lemnos, Greece
Keywords:
Phytochemicals, obesity, metabolism, metabolic diseases, inflammation, oxidative stress, molecular mechanisms.
Abstract: Obesity is a complex, chronic and inflammatory disease that affects more than
one-third of the world’s population, leading to a higher incidence of diabetes, dyslipidemia,
metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular diseases, and some types of cancer. Several
phytochemicals are used as flavoring and aromatic compounds, also exerting many benefits
for public health. This study aims to summarize and scrutinize the beneficial effects
of the most important phytochemicals against obesity. Systematic research of the current
international literature was carried out in the most accurate scientific databases, e.g.,
Pubmed, Scopus, Web of Science and Google Scholar, using a set of critical and representative
keywords, such as phytochemicals, obesity, metabolism, metabolic syndrome,
etc. Several studies unraveled the potential positive effects of phytochemicals such as berberine,
carvacrol, curcumin, quercetin, resveratrol, thymol, etc., against obesity and
metabolic disorders. Mechanisms of action include inhibition of adipocyte differentiation,
browning of the white adipose tissue, inhibition of enzymes such as lipase and amylase,
suppression of inflammation, improvement of the gut microbiota, and downregulation
of obesity-inducing genes. In conclusion, multiple bioactive compounds-phytochemicals
exert many beneficial effects against obesity. Future molecular and clinical studies
must be performed to unravel the multiple molecular mechanisms and anti-obesity activities
of these naturally occurring bioactive compounds.
