The role of anthocyanin in obesity

Abstract

Obesity has become a serious global problem that has affected around 13% of the world’s population. This disease is closely related to promoting lipogenesis and decreases lipolysis, accumulating adipose tissue, thus interfering with its regulation. Adipose tissue has been considered the main endocrine and secretory organ, which also becomes the energy reservoir in the form of triglyceride and secretes many mediators called adipokines, including hormones and inflammatory mediators that play a role in the pathogenesis of obesity. The adipose tissue accumulation induces hyperleptinemia, which stimulates leptin resistance and mild systemic inflammation, resulting in systemic organ disruptions. At the same time, anthocyanin is a glycoside that has the potential as an antiobesity agent through several pathways, including lipogenesis inhibition, lipolysis promotion, inhibition of lipid absorption, increasing fat oxidation, regulation of obesity-related hormones, and oxidative stress reduction. This compound has the potential to modulate the de novo lipogenesis pathway through the inhibition of transcription factors and enzymes involved. Moreover, activating epinephrine receptors on the adipose cell surface promotes the epinephrine-induced lipolysis pathway and enhances lipid oxidation and energy utilization. By regulating metabolism and maintaining the adipose tissue’s homeostasis, anthocyanin can potentially ameliorate obesity.