Current pharmaceutical designJan 27, 2025

Traditional Chinese Medicine May Help Obesity by Changing How the Brain Responds to Short-Chain Fatty Acids

GLP-1 Therapies Weekly Brief ↗PubMed ↗DOI ↗

Updated Apr 3, 2026

Abstract

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) may enhance short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) production, which is associated with appetite suppression and increased energy expenditure.

Obesity is a growing global concern requiring effective treatments.
Modulation of gut microbiota by TCM could lead to increased SCFA production.
SCFAs may play a role in regulating appetite and energy expenditure via the Central Nervous System.
The gut-brain axis is highlighted as a key factor in maintaining energy balance.
TCM shows potential as a therapeutic strategy for obesity through microbiome modulation.

Simplified

The increasing global prevalence of obesity (OB) calls for the development of effective treatments. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) offers a promising approach by modulating gut microbiota (GM) to enhance the production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs). Research has demonstrated that SCFAs can regulate appetite and energy expenditure via the Central Nervous System (CNS), underscoring the role of the gut-brain axis in maintaining energy balance. A comprehensive review of the literature was conducted using databases, such as ScienceDirect, Google Scholar, and PubMed. The focus was on the impact of TCM on SCFA production and its influence on appetite regulation and energy expenditure through the CNS. This review indicates that TCM enhances the production of SCFAs, which suppress appetite and increase energy expenditure through their interaction with the CNS, particularly the gut-brain axis. TCM demonstrates promise as a therapeutic strategy for obesity by enhancing the production of SCFAs and regulating energy balance. This approach presents a novel avenue for obesity treatment through the modulation of the microbiome.

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Traditional Chinese Medicine May Help Obesity by Changing How the Brain Responds to Short-Chain Fatty Acids

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