Natural Products as the Modulators of Gut Microbiota: A Pool for the Development of New Treatment Against Obesity?

Abstract

The global increase in obesity and related metabolic disorders calls for innovative treatment approaches that extend beyond traditional drug-based interventions. These conventional pharmacological methods are frequently associated with considerable adverse effects. This review synthesizes recent advances in understanding how natural products—including polyphenols, prebiotics, alkaloids, saponins, and polysaccharides—modulate gut microbiota to combat obesity. Key findings highlight that compounds like resveratrol, berberine, and Panax notoginseng saponins enhance beneficial microbial populations (e.g., Akkermansia and Bifidobacterium), promote short-chain fatty acid production, and restore intestinal barrier integrity, thereby ameliorating metabolic dysfunction. Clinical and preclinical studies demonstrate their potential to reduce adiposity, inflammation, and insulin resistance. However, challenges such as limited human trials, variability in gut microbiota composition, and standardization of natural products remain. This work advocates for further large-scale human studies to validate these findings, positioning natural products as promising, sustainable adjuvants in obesity management through microbiota-targeted therapies.