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Beyond GLP-1 Agonists: Plant-Derived Bioactive Compounds as Adjunctive Strategies for Obesity Management
Aurelian Vasile1, Andrei Cristian Anghel2,3, Teodor Ioan Trasca4
1Faculty of Agriculture, University of Agronomic Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Bucharest, 59 Marasti Blvd, District 1, 011464 Bucharest, Romania.
Nutrients
|July 28, 2026
Summary
Plant-based compounds, like polyphenols, offer a safe, accessible way to manage obesity, especially when incretin pharmacotherapy isn't suitable or is stopped. These natural compounds complement medical treatments for better weight management.
Area of Science:
- Integrative medicine
- Nutritional science
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Obesity affects over a billion adults globally, with current pharmacotherapies like GLP-1 receptor agonists having limitations.
- Plant-derived compounds present a promising complementary strategy for obesity management.
- Existing treatments face challenges including cost, side effects, eligibility, and weight regain.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review clinical evidence on plant-based interventions for obesity.
- To evaluate plant compounds as adjunctive strategies for obesity pharmacotherapy.
- To explore their role before, during, and after incretin-based treatments.
Main Methods:
- Conducted a literature search (2012-2026) in PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science.
- Prioritized randomized controlled trials in adults with overweight or obesity.
- Selected 61 studies, classifying them by efficacy based on clinical effects.
Main Results:
- Polyphenol-rich diets, especially the green-Mediterranean diet, significantly reduced body weight and visceral fat.
- Specific extracts (curcumin, bergamot polyphenols, plant combinations) showed meaningful metabolic improvements.
- Single compounds had limited benefit due to poor bioavailability; multi-pathway compounds were most effective.
Conclusions:
- Plant-derived bioactive compounds provide a safe, accessible adjunctive strategy for obesity.
- These compounds are particularly relevant for patients ineligible for or discontinuing pharmacotherapy.
- Future research should investigate plant-polyphenol combinations with GLP-1 receptor agonists.
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