Medicinal plants for the treatment and prevention of post-menopausal obesity: a review

Menopause, a natural phase of biological aging, is characterized by a reduction in ovarian hormones, significantly impacting women's health and quality of life. It is commonly associated with an increased risk of obesity. Traditional interventions for post-menopausal obesity include dietary modifications, exercise, hormone replacement therapy (HRT), and surgery, each presenting potential adverse effects. Consequently, the utilization of plant-derived bioactive substances, or phytoestrogens, as an alternative to estrogen for treating post-menopausal obesity is gaining traction. These phytoestrogens vary in their mechanisms of action: some bind to estrogen receptors, eliciting cellular and molecular responses, while others inhibit adipogenesis and lipogenesis or activate thermogenesis and lipolysis to counteract obesity. This review encompasses a range of plants, briefly describing each plant’s family, common name, and its potential mechanism of action in combating post-menopausal obesity in cells and animals.