Transdermal administration of herbal essential oil alleviates high-fat diet-induced obesity by regulating metabolism and gut microbiota

Zu-Wen Ye ¹ Qi-Yue Yang ² Dong-Hua Yang ³ Qiao-Hong Lin ¹ Xiao-Xia Liu ¹ Feng-Qin Li ¹ Fang-Fang Yan ² Ping Luo ¹ Si Qin ⁴ Fang Wang ^1*

• ¹ Jiangxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanchang, China
• ² The First Affiliated Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China
• ³ New York College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Mineola, New York, United States
• ⁴ Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, Hunan, China

Obesity, a global health challenge, is characterized by excessive fat accumulation and associated metabolic disorders. The ZhiZhu decoction, a traditional Chinese herbal formula consisting of Citrus aurantium L. (ZS, ZhiShi in Chinese) and Atractylodes macrocephala Koidz (BZ, Baizhu in Chinese), is widely recognized in clinics for its gastrointestinal regulatory effects. Our study investigates the anti-obesity effects and mechanisms of ZS-BZ essential oil (ZBEO) in high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obese rats. ZBEO, rich in atractylon, D-limonene, and γ-elemene, was analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and shown to reduce lipid accumulation. Transdermal ZBEO administration in obese rats led to significant weight loss and improved serum metabolic indexes related to the POMC/CART signaling pathway. Additionally, ZBEO altered gut microbiota, enhancing beneficial bacteria and affecting metabolic pathways linked to obesity. Our findings indicate that ZBEO's multifaceted action on glucose and lipid metabolism, inflammation, appetite suppression, and gut microbiota offers a promising therapeutic strategy for obesity management.