Role of flavonoids in controlling obesity: molecular targets and mechanisms

Obesity presents a major health challenge that increases the risk of several non-communicable illnesses, such as but not limited to diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, musculoskeletal and neurological disorders, sleep disorders, and cancers. Accounting for nearly 8% of global deaths (4.7 million) in 2017, obesity leads to diminishing quality of life and a higher premature mortality rate among affected individuals. Although essentially dubbed as a modifiable and preventable health concern, prevention, and treatment strategies against obesity, such as calorie intake restriction and increasing calorie burning, have gained little long-term success. In this manuscript, we detail the pathophysiology of obesity as a multifactorial, oxidative stress-dependent inflammatory disease. Current anti-obesity treatment strategies, and the effect of flavonoid-based therapeutic interventions on digestion and absorption, macronutrient metabolism, inflammation and oxidative stress and gut microbiota has been evaluated. The use of several naturally occurring flavonoids to prevent and treat obesity with a long-term efficacy, is also described.

Automated summary

Obesity is a major health challenge linked to various non-communicable diseases. Despite being modifiable and preventable, current prevention and treatment strategies have limited success. This manuscript explores the pathophysiology of obesity as an inflammatory disease, evaluates existing anti-obesity treatments, and discusses the potential of flavonoid-based interventions. The use of naturally occurring flavonoids for long-term obesity prevention and treatment is also highlighted.