Obesity is a chronic condition that is causally related to serious medical
illnesses. Plants, especially those used in Ayurveda, can provide biologically active
molecules and lead structures for the development of drugs with enhanced activity and
reduced toxicity. Natural products, particularly medicinal plants, are believed to harbor
potential anti-obesity agents that can act through various mechanisms, either by
preventing weight gain, or by promoting weight loss. Their mechanisms of action
include inhibition of key lipid and carbohydrate hydrolyzing and metabolizing
enzymes, modification of serum lipoprotein and apolipoproteins, blockage of intestinal
absorption, disruption of adipogenesis and adipogenic factors, suppression of appetite
etc. The chapter gives an account of medicinal plants used in antiobesity drug
formulations in Ayurveda and their mechanisms of action, like Holoptelea integrifolia,
Averrhoa bilimbi, Terminalia chebula, Picrorhiza kurroa, Acorus calamus etc. The
knowledge and detailed study about these plants will help to control obesity and to
increase awareness on the importance of medicinal plants in addressing the issue.
Keywords: Acorus calamus, Apolipoprotein, Averrhoea bilimbi and Terminalia
chebula, Cholesterol, Chylomicrons, HDL, HMGR, Holoptelea integrifolia,
LCAT, LDL, LPL, Lekhaneyagana, Obesity, Picrorhiza kurroa, VLDL.
