Anti-obesity properties and mechanism of action of flavonoids: A review

Abstract

Obesity is a major public health problem, and there is increasing scientific interest in its mechanisms, as well as a search for new compounds with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that can minimize the metabolic complications associated with its pathology. One potential source of these compounds is natural products; Among these, flavonoids are a promising group of natural substances. Flavonoids are active constituents with diverse biological activities and are widely found in plants kingdom. Numerous studies have shown that flavonoids can effectively inhibit obesity and related metabolic disorders. The review synthesizes recent evidence in respect of progress in the understanding of the anti-obesity effects of flavonoids. Such effects which occurs through the modulation of proteins, genes and transcriptional factors involved in decreasing lipogenesis, increasing lipolysis, expenditure energy, stimulating fatty acids B-oxidation, digestion and metabolism of carbohydrates. In addition to mitigating inflammatory responses and suppress oxidative stress. A better understanding of the modulating effects and mechanisms of flavonoids in relation to obesity will allow us to better use these compounds to treat or even prevent obesity and its associated comorbidities.

Keywords:

• anti-obesity
• antioxidant
• anti-inflammatory
• flavonoids
• adipose tissue
• obesity

Acknowledgements

This study was financed in part by the Conselho Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Cientifico e Tecnologico – Brasil (CNPq), and the Coordenacao de Aperfeicoamento de Pessoal de Nivel Superior - Brasil (CAPES). We dedicate this article to all doctors and front-line health workers and other staff who have died or are in the battlefront in the fight against COVID-19.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Authors contributions

Anne Karoline de Souza Oliveira, Andreza Santana Santos, Erivan Vieira Barbosa Júnior and Raquel Oliveira Pereira: write/revision of the manuscript.

Jullyana S.S. Quintans, Lucindo J Quintans-Junior and Ana Mara de Oliveira e Silva: revision of the manuscript.

Jullyana S.S. Quintans: supervisor of the work.