Methods to Evaluate the Antiobesity Effects of Medicinal Plants Using Enzyme Assays

Obesity is a chronic disease affecting both adults and children worldwide. One major cause of obesity is high-calorie intake due to overconsumption of foods rich in fat and carbohydrates. Hence, obesity can be controlled by controlling the diet and by other lifestyle changes that increase energy expenditure. However, this is not always possible for individuals who are already overweight and suffering from other diseases. Therefore, certain drugs have been developed to assist with weight reduction. One major avenue for drug development involves the inhibition of enzymes that break down fat and carbohydrates from the diet. This can reduce the bioavailability and absorption of dietary lipids and carbohydrates, allowing for the management of obesity. Although there are synthetic drugs available on the market to inhibit these enzymes, plant-based natural drugs may provide a better alternative to treat obesity due to fewer side effects and a lower cost. In this review, different methods that can be used to screen medicinal plant extracts for inhibitors of those digestive enzymes and certain limitations of those methods are discussed. Currently, there is limited research on the effects of varying conditions on enzyme assays, and this is an area that can be addressed in future research.