Natural algal products as potential pancreatic lipase inhibitors for obesity treatment - screening and mechanisms of action

Oct 5, 2026

Uploaded by Kurz

Obesity is a complex chronic disease and major public health challenge involving multiple pathways, where enzymes can be selectively targeted to modulate weight gain. Pancreatic lipase is central to triglyceride digestion, so suppressing it can reduce fat absorption by blocking triglyceride hydrolysis. Orlistat is an FDA-approved inhibitor but long-term use is associated with gastrointestinal and liver issues. Algae (micro- and macroalgae) provide bioactive compounds with reported pancreatic lipase inhibitory activity via interactions with catalytic triad residues, motivating a critical review of structure, classification, and inhibitory mechanisms.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages15

Reading Time38 min

AccessFree to download

Abstract

Keywords

Introduction

European Food Research and Technology (2026) 252:248 [https://doi.org/10.1007/s00217-026-05172-y](https://doi.org/10.1007/s00217-026-05172-y) REVIEW ARTICLE Natural algal products as potential pancreatic lipase inhibitors for obesity treatment: screening and mechanisms of action Najmeh Oliyaei1 · Frahang Hameed Awlqadr2 · Elahe Abedi3 Received: 31 August 2025 / Revised: 2 May 2026 / Accepted: 7 May 2026 / Published online: 25 May 2026 © The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature 2026 Abstract Obesity is a complex chronic disease and a global public health challenge which contains several pathways. Enzymes involved in these pathways have crucial roles; therefore, they could be selectively targeted to modulate obesity. Pancreatic lipase enzyme is the main enzyme responsible for breaking down dietary triglycerides into fatty acids and monoglycerides that are then absorbed by the intestine. Thus, suppressing pancreatic lipase in the digestive tract can prevent fat absorption by inhibiting triglyceride hydrolysis. Therefore, pancreatic lipase inhibitors play a key role in fat metabolism. The well-known FDA-approved lipase inhibitor is orlistat, whose long-term intake has been linked to gastrointestinal and liver problems. To overcome these side effects, using natural and bioactive ingredients from medicinal plants in the modulation of metabolic disorders has been considered. In this regard, algae (micro-and macroalgae) are an excellent source of nutrients and exhibit several advantages over terrestrial plants, including faster growth rate, shorter cultivation cycles, higher biomass productivity, and higher economic efficiency, which make algae as a superior alternative to medicinal plants. Recently, some studies have reported that algae extracts and their metabolites, such as astaxanthin, fucoidan, alginate, polyphenols, and peptides, exhibit pancreatic lipase-inhibitory activity through chemical interactions with the main residues of lipase catalytic triad that block the enzyme’s active site and alter its structure. Therefore, algae and their products are candidates for the management of obesity via inhibition of pancreatic lipase. However, current investigations regarding their functional properties remains scattered, underscoring the need for critical review. This study describes the pancreatic lipase structure and mechanism, the classification of algae, and the lipase-inhibitory activity of algae extractsand their bioactive compounds. Keywords Algae · Seaweed · Natural product · Pancreatic lipase · Bioactive compounds · Obesity Introduction Obesity, or excessive weight gain, is a growing global health concern that is identified as the alarming rise in other metabolic disorders, such as type 2 diabetes and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease [1] . One therapeutic goal in obesity is to 􀀍 Elahe Abedi[elaheabedi1389@gmail.com](elaheabedi1389@gmail.com) 1 Department of Food Science and Technology, School of Agriculture, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran 2 Department of Food Science and Quality Control, Halabja Technical College, Sulaimani Polytechnic University, Sulaymaniyah 46001, Iraq 3 Department of Food Science and Technology, Faculty of Agriculture, Fasa University, Fasa, Iran reduce triglyceride absorption. Triglyceride is a dietary lipid composed of three fatty acids attached to a glycerol and has high calories (90–95%). Therefore, the prolonged consumption of dietary triglycerides can boost calorie intake, which results in obesity [2] . In the intestine, dietary fats and triglycerides are hydrolyzed by pancreatic lipase to free fatty acids and monoglycerides, which are absorbed. Therefore, inhibiting pancreatic lipase activity is an effective strategy to combat obesity. Indeed, pancreatic lipase inhibitors work by limiting the digestion and absorption of fats, leading to the reduction of calorie consumption and the prevention of weight gain [3] .

FAQs

Why can pancreatic lipase inhibition help manage obesity?

Pancreatic lipase digests dietary triglycerides into absorbable fatty acids and monoglycerides. Inhibiting the enzyme limits digestion and absorption of fats, reducing calorie intake and helping prevent weight gain.

What limitations are associated with the lipase inhibitor orlistat?

Orlistat is effective but long-term use can cause gastrointestinal signs, oily stools, flatulence, and fat-soluble vitamin deficiencies.

How do algae extracts and metabolites act as pancreatic lipase inhibitors?

Reported algae compounds such as astaxanthin, fucoidan, alginate, polyphenols, and peptides inhibit pancreatic lipase through chemical interactions with catalytic triad residues. These interactions block the active site and alter enzyme structure.

Oct 5, 2026

Uploaded by Kurz