Document Type : Review Articles
Author
1
Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Tabuk, 71491, Saudi Arabia
2
Biochemistry Division, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Fayoum University, Fayoum, Egypt
Abstract
Obesity is a global problem that causes severe health problems. Since, it increases the risk of developing chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular diseases, cancer, and type 2 diabetes. Pharmacotherapy is still the mainstay for managing obesity, but its efficacy is inadequate, it is non-specific, and it has harmful side effects, so its usefulness is limited. Therefore, it is essential to create new anti-obesity therapy methods or enhance currently available medications, in addition, novel ways could offer insights into obesity and obesity-associated disorders. Natural products, particularly plant extracts, are viewed as an alternative because they have no negative side effects. Plant extracts, in particular, contain antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and insulin-sensitizing characteristics. Moreover, nanotechnology is one of the promising methods for increasing therapeutic efficacy and improving the anti-obesity effectiveness of these natural chemicals due to their alleged ability to be target-specific. Nanotechnology makes natural chemicals more bioavailable, biodistributable, stable, and soluble. This makes it a promising way to treat obesity.
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