Abstract:

Plant polyphenols, a class of natural secondary metabolites widely presented in plants, have anti-cancer, antioxidant,
anti-bacterial, anti-virus and other bioactivities. In recent years, the development of anti-obesity functional foods or
drugs has become a hot topic due to the increasing obesity rate all over the world. Currently, many researchers have reported
that plant polyphenols show significant anti-obesity effects, and the mechanisms have been revealed gradually. This paper
reviews the recent progress in understanding the anti-obesity effects of plant polyphenols through modulating metabolic
enzyme activities, stimulating thermogenesis and regulating the signaling pathways and intestinal microbial flora in the body.

Key words: plant polyphenol, anti-obesity, mechanism