Can Geranium Extracts Offer a Novel Therapeutic Approach for Obesity?

Over the past few decades, the prevalence of obesity has increased globally. The treatment of obesity is of great importance due to its substantial impact on health and its association with numerous chronic diseases, including cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, cancer, neurological disorders, chronic respiratory diseases, and digestive disorders. One promising target for the treatment of obesity is the Neuromedin U receptor 2 (NMU2), which is predominantly expressed in the central nervous system. Activation of the NMU2 results in reduction of food intake and regulation of energy metabolism.

In this study, we utilized an SwissTargetPrediction model in order to investigate which compound, obtained from extract of the underground and aerial parts of eight species of the genus Geranium (G. macrorrhizum, G. robertianum, G. phaeum, G. palustre, G. sanguineum, G. columbinum, G. pyrenaicum and G. Lucidum), could potentially target NMU2. Plants belonging to the genus Geranium are widely utilized and valued for their widespread use in traditional Balkan medicine. They are recognized for their antidiarrheal, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, anticancer, and astringent properties.

Twenty-three different compounds were evaluated, among which hyperoside and isoquercetin, found in G. pyrenaicum and G. macrorrhizum, showed the highest NMU2 receptor binding probability scores (0.344 and 0.335, respectively). Other compounds, such as astragalin and astragalin-2-O-gallate, present in G. palustre and G. pyrenaicum, also demonstrated NMU2 receptor binding probabilities (0.181 and 0.133, respectively).

While further investigation is required, these findings suggest that Geranium extract constituents may represent promising therapeutic candidates for obesity treatment.