J Ethnopharmacol. 2026 Jan 22:121246. doi: 10.1016/j.jep.2026.121246. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Banxia Baizhu Tianma Decoction (BBTD), a classical traditional Chinese medicine formula, is prescribed for phlegm-dampness syndromes, including cardiovascular dysfunction, hypertension and obesity. The precise molecular mechanisms underlying BBTD's anti-obesity effect against adipose tissue (AT) inflammation, however, remains unclear.
AIM OF THE STUDY: In this study, we aimed to evaluate the anti-obesity effects of BBTD and investigate its underlying molecular mechanism.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: We induced obesity with a high-fat diet (HFD) and then used single-nucleus RNA sequencing (snRNA-seq) to characterize the cellular landscape of cells from epididymal white adipose tissues (eWAT) of mice in Normal, Model and BBTD groups.
RESULTS: The Model group exhibited an aberrant increase in adipocyte size and lipid accumulation, alongside AT metabolic dysfunction. Administration of a high concentration of BBTD largely reversed these alterations. snRNA-seq of eWAT further revealed that HFD feeding promoted the accumulation of inflammatory factors and AT macrophages (ATMs), as well as complex adipocyte-macrophage communication. BBTD significantly attenuated AT inflammation by suppressing interleukin 7 receptor (IL-7R) positive LAMs infiltration and cell interactions.
CONCLUSIONS: Here, we highlight the therapeutic potential of BBTD in anti-obesity through improving AT microenvironment.
PMID:41580165 | DOI:10.1016/j.jep.2026.121246