Fitoterápicos aplicados à obesidade

Abstract

The study aimed to investigate the scientific evidence on the use of herbal medicines “Camellia sinensis”, “Citrus aurantium” and “Carthamus tinctorius” to help weight loss. In the development of this research we carried out systematic bibliographical studies in databases PubMed, ScienceDirect and Scielo between the years 2000-2014. According to the studies revised on the Camellia sinensis green tea extract has several active principles, among which stands out the catechin, which inhibits the enzyme catecholo-methyltransferase, responsible for degrading norepinephrine prolonging the effect of adenosine 3’, 5’-cyclic monophosphate on thermogenesis mainly mediated by noradrenaline in combination with caffeine. Citrus aurantiums, due to sinefrine action, stimulates the action of the β3-receptors, accelerating lipolysis, and increases basal metabolism through thermogenesis, causing weight reduction. Furthermore, Carthamus tinctorius through the action of linoleic acid inhibits the enzyme lipoproteinlipase, responsible for carrying triglycerides from the blood to the interior of adipocytes, helping reduce weight, while oleic acid stimulates the enzyme carnitine palmitoltranferase that mobilizes fatty acids into the mitochondria causing the β-oxidation process that contributes to weight loss. It was possible to understand that despite the herbal showing satisfactory results, data still are incomplete and require further research.