Phytotherapy and the Role of Bioactive Compounds in Modulating Mechanisms of Overweight and Obesity Comorbid with Depressive Symptoms—A Scoping Review of Mechanisms of Action
Obesity and depression frequently coexist, sharing overlapping molecular pathways such as inflammation, oxidative stress, gut microbiota dysbiosis, and neuroendocrine dysfunction. Recent research highlights the therapeutic potential of plant-derived bioactive compounds in targeting these shared mech...
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MDPI AG
2025-06-01
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| author | Klaudia Sochacka Sabina Lachowicz-Wiśniewska |
| author_facet | Klaudia Sochacka Sabina Lachowicz-Wiśniewska |
| author_sort | Klaudia Sochacka |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Obesity and depression frequently coexist, sharing overlapping molecular pathways such as inflammation, oxidative stress, gut microbiota dysbiosis, and neuroendocrine dysfunction. Recent research highlights the therapeutic potential of plant-derived bioactive compounds in targeting these shared mechanisms. This scoping review followed Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines and included 261 peer-reviewed studies identified through PubMed, Scopus, and the Web of Science up to December 2024. Studies were screened based on predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. This review synthesizes data from peer-reviewed studies, including both preclinical and clinical investigations, focusing on polyphenols, flavonoids, alkaloids, and other phytochemicals with anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, neuroprotective, and metabolic effects. Compounds such as quercetin, epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), resveratrol, curcumin, anthocyanins, and luteolin demonstrate promise in modulating adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), and gut–brain axis pathways. Our scoping review, conducted in accordance with PRISMA guidelines, identifies promising combinations and mechanisms for integrative phytotherapy. These findings underscore the potential of botanical strategies in developing future interventions for metabolic and mood comorbidities. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-633028d4ae8045d78b4ccedbea6a2d0e |
| institution | Matheson Library |
| issn | 1420-3049 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
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| series | Molecules |
| spelling | doaj-art-633028d4ae8045d78b4ccedbea6a2d0e2025-07-11T14:41:10ZengMDPI AGMolecules1420-30492025-06-013013282710.3390/molecules30132827Phytotherapy and the Role of Bioactive Compounds in Modulating Mechanisms of Overweight and Obesity Comorbid with Depressive Symptoms—A Scoping Review of Mechanisms of ActionKlaudia Sochacka0Sabina Lachowicz-Wiśniewska1Faculty of Medicine and Health Science, University of Kalisz, pl. W. Bogusławskiego 2, 62-800 Kalisz, PolandFaculty of Medicine and Health Science, University of Kalisz, pl. W. Bogusławskiego 2, 62-800 Kalisz, PolandObesity and depression frequently coexist, sharing overlapping molecular pathways such as inflammation, oxidative stress, gut microbiota dysbiosis, and neuroendocrine dysfunction. Recent research highlights the therapeutic potential of plant-derived bioactive compounds in targeting these shared mechanisms. This scoping review followed Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines and included 261 peer-reviewed studies identified through PubMed, Scopus, and the Web of Science up to December 2024. Studies were screened based on predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. This review synthesizes data from peer-reviewed studies, including both preclinical and clinical investigations, focusing on polyphenols, flavonoids, alkaloids, and other phytochemicals with anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, neuroprotective, and metabolic effects. Compounds such as quercetin, epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), resveratrol, curcumin, anthocyanins, and luteolin demonstrate promise in modulating adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), and gut–brain axis pathways. Our scoping review, conducted in accordance with PRISMA guidelines, identifies promising combinations and mechanisms for integrative phytotherapy. These findings underscore the potential of botanical strategies in developing future interventions for metabolic and mood comorbidities.https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/30/13/2827phytotherapybioactive compoundsobesitydepressionpolyphenolsneuroinflammation |
| spellingShingle | Klaudia Sochacka Sabina Lachowicz-Wiśniewska Phytotherapy and the Role of Bioactive Compounds in Modulating Mechanisms of Overweight and Obesity Comorbid with Depressive Symptoms—A Scoping Review of Mechanisms of Action Molecules phytotherapy bioactive compounds obesity depression polyphenols neuroinflammation |
| title | Phytotherapy and the Role of Bioactive Compounds in Modulating Mechanisms of Overweight and Obesity Comorbid with Depressive Symptoms—A Scoping Review of Mechanisms of Action |
| title_full | Phytotherapy and the Role of Bioactive Compounds in Modulating Mechanisms of Overweight and Obesity Comorbid with Depressive Symptoms—A Scoping Review of Mechanisms of Action |
| title_fullStr | Phytotherapy and the Role of Bioactive Compounds in Modulating Mechanisms of Overweight and Obesity Comorbid with Depressive Symptoms—A Scoping Review of Mechanisms of Action |
| title_full_unstemmed | Phytotherapy and the Role of Bioactive Compounds in Modulating Mechanisms of Overweight and Obesity Comorbid with Depressive Symptoms—A Scoping Review of Mechanisms of Action |
| title_short | Phytotherapy and the Role of Bioactive Compounds in Modulating Mechanisms of Overweight and Obesity Comorbid with Depressive Symptoms—A Scoping Review of Mechanisms of Action |
| title_sort | phytotherapy and the role of bioactive compounds in modulating mechanisms of overweight and obesity comorbid with depressive symptoms a scoping review of mechanisms of action |
| topic | phytotherapy bioactive compounds obesity depression polyphenols neuroinflammation |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/30/13/2827 |
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