Background. Metabolic syndrome (MetS), which consists of cluster of conditions, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, hyperglycemia, and visceral obesity, is affecting population worldwide. Studies have shown that plant derived flavonoids have the ability to alleviate MetS. Naringin is a type of glycoside flavonoid found in most plant and it plays a critical role in the treatment of MetS due to its antioxidant activity and ability to regulate cytokines. Methods. A systematic review was done to study the effects of naringin on the metabolic diseases using electronic databases which include Ovid and Scopus using specific descriptors published from the year 2010 till present to provide updated literature on this field. The articles were assessed and chosen based on the criteria in which the mechanisms and effects of naringin on different metabolic diseases were reported. Results. Thirty-four articles were identified which referred to the studies that correspond to the previously stated criteria. Subsequently after screening for the articles that were published after the year 2010, finally, 19 articles were selected and assessed accordingly. Based on the assessment, naringin could alleviate MetS by reducing visceral obesity, blood glucose, blood pressure, and lipid profile and regulating cytokines. Conclusions. Naringin is an antioxidant that appears to be efficacious in alleviating MetS by preventing oxidative damage and proinflammatory cytokine release. However, the dosage used in animal studies might not be achieved in human trials. Thus, adequate investigation needs to be conducted to confirm naringin’s effects on humans.

Obesity and hyperlipidemia are metabolic dysregulations that arise from poor lifestyle and unhealthy dietary intakes. These co-morbidity conditions are risk factors for vascular diseases. Piper sarmentosum (PS) is a nutritious plant that has been shown to pose various phytochemicals and pharmacological actions. This study aimed to investigate the effect of PS on obesity and hyperlipidemia in an animal model. Forty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into five experimental groups. The groups were as follows: UG—Untreated group; CTRL—control; FDW—olive oil + 20% fructose; FDW-PS—PS (125mg/kg) + 20% fructose; FDW-NGN—naringin (100mg/kg) + 20% fructose. Fructose drinking water was administered daily for 12 weeks ad libitum to induce metabolic abnormality. Treatment was administered at week 8 for four weeks via oral gavage. The rats were sacrificed with anesthesia at the end of the experimental period. Blood, liver, and visceral fat were collected for further analysis. The consumption of 20% fructose water by Wistar rats for eight weeks displayed a tremendous increment in body weight, fat mass, percentage fat, LDL, TG, TC, HMG-CoA reductase, leptin, and reduced the levels of HDL and adiponectin as well as adipocyte hypertrophy. Following the treatment period, FDW-PS and FDW-NGN showed a significant reduction in body weight, fat mass, percentage fat, LDL, TG, TC, HMG-CoA reductase, and leptin with an increment in the levels of HDL and adiponectin compared to the FDW group. FDW-PS and FDW-NGN also showed adipocyte hypotrophy compared to the FDW group. In conclusion, oral administration of 125 mg/kg PS methanolic extract to fructose-induced obese rats led to significant amelioration of obesity and hyperlipidemia through suppressing the adipocytes and inhibiting HMG-CoA reductase. PS has the potential to be used as an alternative or adjunct therapy for obesity and hyperlipidemia.

Obesity and hyperlipidaemia are metabolic dysregulations, arising from poor lifestyle and excessive dietary intakes which may contribute to many chronic diseases if not treated. Studies have shown that plant-based supplementations can suppress this metabolic dysregulation. Moringa oleifera (MO) is a plant that is known to be nutritious and can alleviate obesity and hyperlipidaemia owing to its medicinal properties. A literature search on the effects of MO on obesity and hyperlipidaemia using electronic databases which included Ovid Medline and Scopus was performed. Specific descriptors were used to perform the search strategy. The articles were selected based on the principles that report on the effects of MO on obesity and hyperlipidaemia. Titles of the articles were screened for Moringa oleifera OR obesity OR hyperlipidaemia. Twenty-nine articles, 19 from Ovid Medline and 10 from Scopus were selected based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. A flow chart was created to represent the study selection. Based on the chosen articles, MO was shown to suppress obesity and hyperlipidaemia directly and indirectly through the regulation of gene expression, enzyme activity and adipocytokines. Through animal trials, MO demonstrated promising results in alleviating obesity and hyperlipidaemia. More human trials should be performed to strengthen the accomplished effects seen on animals. As there were no side effects identified in animal studies, it could be recommended to patients with obesity and hyperlipidaemia.