Natural products in the management of obesity: Fundamental mechanisms and pharmacotherapy

Obesity is an alarming medical condition, whereby, its prevalence has escalated tremendously across the globe. The aetiology of obesity is obscure and multifactorial, which primarily involves complex interactions between genetic background, social and environmental factors, as well as developmental and biological factors. Multiple comorbidities have been linked with obesity, such as hypertension, diabetes, cancer, and stroke. Therefore, appropriate behavioural and lifestyle modifications are essential to achieve weight loss in obese patients. There are several conventional drugs and pharmacological modalities available for the therapeutic management of obesity. Nevertheless, many of these conventional anti-obesity agents are associated with severe adverse effects and long-term complications. These factors have prompted extensive research for the discovery and development of novel anti-obesity agents. A vast range of natural products have been explored and studied for their anti-obesity potential. Compounds from plant sources have demonstrated improved toxicological profiles and multipronged synergistic actions. In this review, we have discussed the influence of various natural products on obesity. We have also elaborated the various mechanisms of action underlying the anti-obesity effects of notable natural substances.