Obesity – Can Allium fistulosum L. be a remedy?

Obesity is one of the major problems facing human beings at present. Because of the consumption of refined sugar and foods rich in carbohydrates, as well as adoption of a more sedentary lifestyle (often by necessity as is the case with most office workers), people in all countries are increasingly getting obese, which in turn is leading to other disorders like diabetes and cardiovascular complications. Existing conventional drugs have adverse side-effects, which is the major cause for scientists to look towards the plant kingdom for discovery of newer drugs with less or no side-effects. The Allium genera of plants are widely known for their medicinal properties, in particular Allium cepa (onion) and Allium sativum (garlic), whose beneficial actions include anti-obesity effects. In this mini review, we examine a lesser known plant of the Allium genera, namely Allium fistulosum L. and review its anti-obesity potential. The conclusion of the present study is that the plant contains phytochemicals like ferulic acid and quercetin, which possess anti-obesity mechanisms of action thus rendering the plant to be of potential use against obesity.