Cinnamon plays a key role in the anti-obesity action of Hachimijiogan by ameliorating leptin resistance in the hypothalamus.

Authors

Syota Kagawa, Katsuya Tanabe, Kakuyou Ogawa, Makoto Hiromura, Masanori Sugiyama, Kikuko Amo-Shiinoki, Yusuke Toyama, Daiki Fujimori, Hana Akashi, Mako Yokoyama, Hiroshi Tsuneki, Toshiyasu Sasaoka, Fumihiro Nagashima

Published in

The Journal of pharmacy and pharmacology. Volume 78. Issue 8. Aug 03, 2026.

Abstract

Hachimijiogan (MIX8), a traditional herbal formulation comprising eight crude drugs, is used clinically to alleviate symptoms associated with cold conditions. Although anti-obesity effects have been suggested, the bioactive constituents and underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. Thus, we aimed to identify the key bioactive components responsible for the anti-obesity effects of MIX8 and elucidate the underlying mechanisms.
Modified MIX8 formulations lacking processed aconite root (PAR) (MIX7) or PAR and cinnamon (MIX6) were administered to diet-induced obese C57BL/6J mice. Body weight, fat mass, insulin sensitivity, hepatic lipid accumulation, and circulating leptin levels were evaluated. To assess the underlying mechanisms, a leptin challenge test was conducted following cinnamon extract administration.
MIX7 suppressed weight gain, adipocyte hypertrophy, systemic insulin resistance, hepatic steatosis, and hyperleptinemia. MIX6 failed to suppress weight gain, implicating cinnamon as having anti-obesity activity. Cinnamon extract enhanced the acute anorexigenic response to leptin and restored hypothalamic leptin signalling, indicating the reversal of central leptin resistance.
Cinnamon is an essential component of MIX8 that mediates its anti-obesity effects by restoring central leptin sensitivity. The present study provides mechanistic insights into the pharmacological basis of MIX8, supporting the preventive potential of cinnamon in managing diet-induced obesity.

PMID:
42627928
Bibliographic data and abstract were imported from PubMed on 22 Aug 2026.

Read full publication at:
Please sign in to see all details.

Stats

1-terrible, 9-excellent. How would you rate this publication? Sign in in to submit your rating.

Post a comment

You need to be signed in to post comments. You can sign in here.

Comments

There are no comments yet.