Title:Phytocompounds as Potential Agents to Treat Obesity-Cardiovascular Ailments
Volume: 15
Issue: 2
Author(s): Balaji Meriga*, Muni Swamy Ganjayi and Brahma Naidu Parim
Affiliation:
- Department of Biochemistry, S.V. University, Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh,India
Keywords:
Life style changes, over weight-obesity, adipose tissue, CVDs, triglycerides, phytochemicals.
Abstract: Background: Obesity is no longer considered as a cosmetic issue as it is a potential risk factor
to develop hypertension, type-2 diabetes, Cardio Vascular Diseases (CVDs), infertility, arthritis, etc.
Apart from genetic factors, changes in life styles, food and work habits have lead to an alarming increase
in obesity ailments in both developed and developing countries. The excess and unutilized food
taken in is converted into lipid components, primarily triglycerides and is stored in the liver, adipose
and other tissues; if the positive energy balance extends for a longer period, it leads to overweight, obesity
and CVDs. Cardiovascular diseases are a group of disorders of the heart and blood vessels and
cause greater mortality rate worldwide. Although a number of drugs have been developed to contain
these diseases, most of them suffer from significant side effects and some of them have been even withdrawn
from markets. In view of this, there is a growing emphasis for natural product based drugs.
Conclusion: In this article, the present scenario of obesity-CVDs and their causative factors are described
besides mentioning currently available medications to treat them. The role of phytochemicals in
treating obesity-CVDs and their possible mode of action are also highlighted. This study strengthens our
understanding of obesity-CVDs and paves the way to develop novel and cost-effective plant based
drugs/formulations with negligible side effects to treat these lifestyle based diseases.