title: Recent Advances in Obesity: The Role of Turmeric Tuber and Its Metabolites in the Prophylaxis and Therapeutical Strategies.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Obesity in the 21st century society became an important health problem, alarming both the scientists and medicine doctors around the world. That is why, the search for new drug candidates capable to reduce the body weight is of high concern.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This contribution tends to collect current findings on the biochemistry of obesity and on the application of plants and in particular turmeric tuber - a commonly used spice - as an anti-obesity agent.
  
  
  METHODS
  Following an introduction on the biochemical characteristics of obesity, the description of Curcuma secondary metabolites, their pharmacological applications and a study on the plants' regulatory properties in obesity was summarized. Particular attention was paid to curcumin - the major metabolite present in the extracts of Curcuma spp., which is known to exhibit a variety of pharmacological actions. Also, the characteristics of some semisynthetic analogues of this ferulic acid derivative, characterized by a higher polarity and better bioavailability will be discussed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Numerous scientific papers treat on the influence of turmeric on weight loss. Additionally, some of them describe its anti-inflammatory properties.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This important spice tends to fight the 21st century plague, which is an excessive weight gain, related to the development of metabolic syndrome, to the occurrence of cardiovascular problems and diabetes, and, in consequence, leading to a significant shortening of life span. As herein proven, the extracts of turmeric play an important role in the regulation of inflammatory reactions which are evoked in the overweight patients, helping them reduce the excess body weight.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical University of Lublin, Poland, 1 Chodzki str., 20-093 Lublin, Poland.
authors.forename: Agata
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Jarząb
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacognosy with Medicinal Plants Unit, Medical University of Lublin, Poland, 1 Chodzki str., 20-093 Lublin, Poland.
authors.forename: Wirginia
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Kukula-Koch
mesh_terms: D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019440:Anti-Obesity Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001682:Biological Availability; D001688:Biological Products / Q000627:therapeutic use; D030024:Curcuma / Q000737:chemistry*; D003474:Curcumin / Q000737:chemistry / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000188:drug therapy; D009765:Obesity / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000517:prevention & control*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D035281:Plant Tubers / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D019440:Anti-Obesity Agents; D000975:Antioxidants; D001688:Biological Products; D010936:Plant Extracts; C012596:turmeric extract; D003474:Curcumin
keywords: Curcuma spp.; Obesity; Zingiberaceae; curcumin; inflammation; turmeric tuber.