Chamomile as a potential remedy for obesity and metabolic syndrome

Authors

  • Maria M. Bayliak Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Vasyl Stefanyk Precarpathian National University, 57 Shevchenko Str., Ivano-Frankivsk, 76018, Ukraine, E-mail: maria.bayliak@pnu.edu.ua https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6268-8910
  • Tetiana R. Dmytriv Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Vasyl Stefanyk Precarpathian National University, 57 Shevchenko Str., Ivano-Frankivsk, 76018, Ukraine https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9467-1267
  • Antonina V. Melnychuk Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Vasyl Stefanyk Precarpathian National University, 57 Shevchenko Str., Ivano-Frankivsk, 76018, Ukraine https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2585-7281
  • Nadia V. Strilets Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Vasyl Stefanyk Precarpathian National University, 57 Shevchenko Str., Ivano-Frankivsk, 76018, Ukraine https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1549-3755
  • Kenneth B. Storey Institute of Biochemistry, Carleton University, 1125 Colonel By Drive, Ottawa, Ontario K1S 5B6, Canada https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7363-1853
  • Volodymyr I. Lushchak Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Vasyl Stefanyk Precarpathian National University, 57 Shevchenko Str., Ivano-Frankivsk, 76018, Ukraine; I. Horbachevsky Ternopil National Medical University, 46002, Ternopil, Ukraine; Research and Development University, Shota Rustaveli Str., 76018, Ivano-Frankivsk, Ukraine https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5602-3330

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.17179/excli2021-4013

Keywords:

chamomile, polyphenols, inflammation, pro-oxidant, Nrf2, PPARγ

Abstract

Obesity is an increasing health concern related to many metabolic disorders, including metabolic syndrome, diabetes type 2 and cardiovascular diseases. Many studies suggest that herbal products can be useful dietary supplements for weight management due to the presence of numerous biologically active compounds, including antioxidant polyphenols that can counteract obesity-related oxidative stress. In this review we focus on Matricaria chamomilla, commonly known as chamomile, and one of the most popular medicinal plants in the world. Thanks to a high content of phenolic compounds and essential oils, preparations from chamomile flowers demonstrate a number of pharmacological effects, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and sedative actions as well as improving gastrointestinal function. Several recent studies have shown certain positive effects of chamomile preparations in the prevention of obesity and complications of diabetes. These effects were associated with modulation of signaling pathways involving the AMP-activated protein kinase, NF-κB, Nrf2 and PPARγ transcription factors. However, the potential of chamomile in the management of obesity seems to be underestimated. This review summarizes current data on the use of chamomile and its individual components (apigenin, luteolin, essential oils) to treat obesity and related metabolic disorders in cell and animal models and in human studies. Special attention is paid to molecular mechanisms that can be involved in the anti-obesity effects of chamomile preparations. Limitation of chamomile usage is also analyzed. 

Author Biographies

Maria M. Bayliak, Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Vasyl Stefanyk Precarpathian National University, 57 Shevchenko Str., Ivano-Frankivsk, 76018, Ukraine, E-mail: maria.bayliak@pnu.edu.ua

Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Professor

Tetiana R. Dmytriv, Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Vasyl Stefanyk Precarpathian National University, 57 Shevchenko Str., Ivano-Frankivsk, 76018, Ukraine

Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Master's Student

Antonina V. Melnychuk, Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Vasyl Stefanyk Precarpathian National University, 57 Shevchenko Str., Ivano-Frankivsk, 76018, Ukraine

Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Master's Student

Nadia V. Strilets, Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Vasyl Stefanyk Precarpathian National University, 57 Shevchenko Str., Ivano-Frankivsk, 76018, Ukraine

Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Master's student

Kenneth B. Storey , Institute of Biochemistry, Carleton University, 1125 Colonel By Drive, Ottawa, Ontario K1S 5B6, Canada

Institute of Biochemistry, Professor

Volodymyr I. Lushchak, Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Vasyl Stefanyk Precarpathian National University, 57 Shevchenko Str., Ivano-Frankivsk, 76018, Ukraine; I. Horbachevsky Ternopil National Medical University, 46002, Ternopil, Ukraine; Research and Development University, Shota Rustaveli Str., 76018, Ivano-Frankivsk, Ukraine

Head of Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Professor

Published

2021-07-26

How to Cite

Bayliak, M. M., Dmytriv, T. R., Melnychuk, A. V., Strilets, N. V., Storey , K. B., & Lushchak, V. I. (2021). Chamomile as a potential remedy for obesity and metabolic syndrome. EXCLI Journal, 20, 1261–1286. https://doi.org/10.17179/excli2021-4013

Issue

Section

Review articles

Most read articles by the same author(s)