Obesity and oxidative stress are two crucial risk factors that closely allied with metabolic syndrome. The prevalence of obesity and related diseases is rising worldwide, and there is a need for safe and effective treatments to combat this issue.The study investigated the phytochemical composition, total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC) of the ethanolic root extract of Saussurea lappa. The phytochemical screening of the root extract revealed the presence of flavonoids, phenol, tannins, terpenoids and saponins. The TPC of the root extract was found to be 43.35±1.20mg GAE/100mg, while the TFC was found to be 37.56±0.52mg QE/100mg. Further study was explored effect of ethanolic extract of Saussurea lapparoot on DPPH free radical scavenging, α-amylase, α-glucosidase and pancreatic lipase inhibition activity by using in vitro method. Our results revealed that IC50 values were found to be 121.94 µg/mL, 54.66±0.10μg/mL, 55.10±0.15μg/mL and 97.34±0.23 µg/mL for DPPH free radical scavenging, α-amylase inhibition, αglucosidase inhibition and pancreatic lipase inhibition respectively. Quantitative and qualitative phytochemical screening also revealed the various phytoconstituents of Saussurea lappa root extract indicated promising natural ingredients to scavenge free radicals that may be associated with anti-obesity and anti-diabetic effects. The α-amylase, α-glucosidase and pancreatic lipase inhibitionsuggested that the root extract may have hypoglycaemic effect and also reduced the digestion of fats and triglycerides thus this plant may act as alternative herbal approach for management of metabolic syndrome. The current study aimed to evaluate the anti-obesity activity of ethanolic root extracts of Saussurea lappa (Costus) roots in obese rats fed cafeteria diets. Male Wistar rats were divided into five groups: normal control, negative control, positive control and two experimental groups treated with different doses of the ethanolic root extracts. The negative control group (cafeteria diet fed) showed a significant increase in body weight, food intake, and lipid profile compared to the normal control group. However, treatment with ethanolic root extract of of Saussurea lappa(200mg/kg/day) resulted in a significant reduction (P<0.05) in body weight, food intake, anthropometrical measures, adipose tissue weight, adiposity index as well as various lipid profiles as compare to negative control group. These findings suggest that Saussurea lappa (Costus) root ethanolic extract may have potential anti-obesity effects and could be used as a safe and effective treatment for obesity and related metabolic abnormalities.