Preventive and protective properties of rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.) in obesity and diabetes mellitus of metabolic disorders: a brief review

•Rosemary and its components are commercialized as antioxidants.•Rosemary and its components have anti-obesity effects.•Rosemary and its components have anti-diabetic effects.•Carnosic acid is the major active component in rosemary.

Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.) has been used as herbal medicine to treat various chronic diseases worldwide since ancient times. Recent evidence has shown the potential of rosemary for treatment of obesity and diabetes mellitus due to its anti-hyperlipidemic and anti-hyperglycaemic effects. This review summarizes the current knowledge on the major active components in rosemary, and the efficacy and underlying mechanism of rosemary and its components against obesity and diabetes.