Inhibitory Effects of Edible and Medicinal Plant Extracts on the Enzymatic Activity of Pancreatic Lipase

The research evaluated 37 plant extracts for their ability to inhibit pancreatic lipase, an enzyme crucial for fat digestion, as a potential obesity treatment. The extract from dried leaves of Hibiscus rosa-sinensis showed the highest inhibitory activity, 71.90% at 400 µg/mL, which was dose-dependent and comparable to the obesity drug orlistat. This extract also reduced plasma triacylglycerol levels after lipid emulsion administration, similar to orlistat. The dried leaves of H. rosa-sinensis had higher antioxidant activity and total phenolic compounds than fresh leaves. The study suggests that H. rosa-sinensis could be used as an anti-obesity agent or a food additive to reduce fat absorption.