Therapeutic Effects of Phytochemicals of Brassicaceae for Management of Obesity

Abstract

Cruciferous vegetables are rich in glucosinolates, carotenoids, chlorophylls and ascorbic acid which play a major role in the modulation of lipid metabolism and are therefore involved in the lowering of total cholesterol levels in the blood. Cruciferous diet has an inverse relationship with the obesity which has been attributed to the indoles and isothiocyanates derived from the glucosinolates, such as indole-3-carbinol (I3C) and sulforaphane. Obesity and overweight still remain one of the leading causes of “preventable” deaths worldwide exerting a great deal of strain on the healthcare systems. It is ironic to note that there are nearly 100 drugs available in the market for the obesity related diseases like hypertension, but only 6 medications have been approved for the treatment of obesity in the long run. Since obesity is a chronic and permeant disease, it puts an individual to a risk of 30 more chronic diseases like hypertension, type 2 diabetes, cancers, degenerative joint diseases and cardiovascular diseases. Hence, there is a desperate need to find an alternative supporting strategy to support the current medications. In this communication, we have explored the role of phytochemicals from cruciferous diet in exerting hypolipidemic effects, which may open up nascent avenues for therapeutic intervention to tackle obesity.