Abstract:
Obesity, a persistent medical condition, has become a global health concern with significant associations to various hazards, including hypertension, diabetes, and cardiovascular disorders. The present study aimed to assess the antiobesity potential of Himalayan herbs from the Garhwal region through a modified in vitro lipase inhibitory activity assay. Dimethyl Sulphoxide (DMSO) extracts, serving as the negative control or solvent, were obtained from leaves and seeds of selected herbs and subjected to a lipase inhibitory activity assay using porcine pancreatic lipase enzyme, p-nitrophenyl acetate, and orlistat as the positive control or standard inhibitor.
Methods: In this study, we employed a modified in vitro lipase inhibitory activity assay to evaluate the antiobesity potential of Himalayan herbs. DMSO extracts from leaves and seeds of selected herbs were investigated for lipase inhibitory potential using porcine pancreatic lipase enzyme, p-nitrophenyl acetate, and orlistat as the positive control. The results were expressed as a percentage of lipase inhibition.
Shortening the Drug Discovery Pipeline: Our study focuses on streamlining the drug discovery pipeline by employing in vitro studies. This approach accelerates the identification of potential antiobesity agents, paving the way for faster drug development.
Benefits of Herbal Formulations: The utilization of herbal formulations presents a promising avenue in combating obesity. Our findings suggest that Himalayan herbs, specifically Urtica dioica and Trachyspermum ammi, exhibit significant lipase inhibition, indicating their potential as natural antiobesity agents. Herbal formulations offer a holistic and sustainable approach to obesity treatment.
Role of Bioactive Molecules for Obesity Treatment and Management: The study reveals that bioactive molecules derived from Himalayan herbs possess strong pancreatic lipase inhibitory activity. This underscores the importance of identifying and isolating these bioactive constituents for further research, aiming at developing lead molecules for effective obesity treatment and weight management.
Conclusion: Our research underscores the potential of Himalayan herbs in combating obesity through their significant lipase inhibitory activity. The study emphasizes the importance of in vitro methods in expediting drug discovery, highlights the benefits of herbal formulations, and underscores the crucial role of bioactive molecules in the treatment and management of obesity. Further investigation is warranted to identify and isolate chief bioactive constituents for the development of lead molecules in the fight against obesity.
