Obesity and Herbal Drug Research: Exploring the Safer Alternative and Lead Molecule

Background: Obesity has developed as an epidemic and as a psychosocial problem globally at an alarming rate. The lack of physical exercise, sedentary lifestyles and the consumption of junk foods are the major contributing factors to the etiology of obesity. Overweight and obesity rank fifth as the leading risk factors for deaths globally. Method: There are a number of claimed treatment options including drug therapy, yoga, surgery, lifestyle changes and natural herbal and homeopathic remedies. Most of the synthetic drugs used for anti-obesity have one or more side effects. Moreover, the treatment is also costly. A herbal drug may be a safer as well as cost effective alternative for anti-obesity and antihyperlipidemic activity. Discussion: The article discussed the current epidemiological status and prevalence of diabetes. After introducing the conventional treatment of obesity the herbal drug research was reviewed exhaustively. Results & Conclusion: The meta analysis and SWOT analysis of herbal drug research were done, major lacunae in the current research was identified and the solutions to boost the research field were suggested. The rational and judicious use of more and more in vitro and in vivo assays, chemical fingerprinting of herbal extracts and development of validated protocols for evaluation parameters may be helpful in taking the herbal drug research for developing a bioactive lead molecule.