Impacts of extracts of select easily available plants on obesity: Initial quest for an anti - Obesity oral supplement – A review

Article Type

Research Article

Publication Title

International Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences Review and Research

Abstract

Obesity, defined as a Body Mass Index (BMI) of greater than equal to 30 kg.m-2 has become one of the most common, neglected and ever-rising public health problem where socio-economic development, sedentary job patterns, preference for high-calorie junk foods and reluctant nature of people to engage in physical activities act as the contributing factors. The prevalence of non-communicable disease like cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, osteoarthritis (especially in obese women) and hypertension which are considered co-morbid conditions associated with obesity is increasing in epidemic proportions. There has been an eventual increase in the mean BMI since 1980 by 0.4-0.5 kg.m-2 per decade in adults, aged ≥ 20 years. Nearly 2.8 million individuals die each year due to being overweight or obese. India is the 3rd most obese country in the world having more than 30 million obese people with a higher prevalence in women (more than 23%) than men (20%). Diet and exercise together is considered the most effective means to curb the rising trend in obesity. In situations where diet and exercise alone cannot serve the purpose use of pharmaceutical anti-obesity drugs and sometimes surgical assistance are required to control obesity. Since, these anti-obesity drugs and surgical methods are at times associated with future complications and have high toxic effects and are costly they are not opted often. This led to the use of medicinal plant and plant-products in obesity management which are usually cost-effective and produces relatively less toxic. The available related documents are reviewed to find that use of plants like Camellia sinensis, Coffea canephora, Capsicum annuum, Allium sativum, Zingiber officinale, Curcuma longa, Citrus limon, Hypericum perforatum, Aloe vera, Garcinia cambosa etc. either in the form of extracts or as pure compounds consumed orally as natural supplements, may prove to be effective in combating steep rise in obesity; there could be attempts to make them available in a rational combination.

First Page

28

Last Page

33

Publication Date

11-1-2016

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