Researchers discovered that a traditional Chinese medicine formula called Shenling Baizhu Powder may help protect brain function in people with obesity. Using mice fed a high-fat diet, scientists found that this herbal powder improved memory and thinking skills by fixing problems in the gut and brain. The key appears to be how the powder changes the bacteria in the digestive system, which then produces more vitamin B6—a nutrient that protects brain cells. When researchers transferred the healthy gut bacteria from treated mice to untreated mice, the untreated mice also showed brain improvements, proving the gut bacteria connection is real.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether a traditional Chinese herbal powder could improve brain function and memory in mice that became overweight from eating a high-fat diet
  • Who participated: Male laboratory mice that were fed a high-fat diet for 16 weeks to make them obese, then treated with the herbal powder for the final 4 weeks
  • Key finding: Mice that received the herbal powder showed significant improvements in memory and thinking skills compared to untreated obese mice, with better performance on memory tests and healthier brain cell connections
  • What it means for you: This research suggests that herbal treatments targeting gut health may eventually help people with obesity protect their brain function, though human studies are still needed to confirm these findings

The Research Details

Scientists conducted an experiment using mice to test whether Shenling Baizhu Powder could help with brain problems caused by obesity. First, they fed male mice a high-fat diet for 16 weeks to make them obese. Then, for the last 4 weeks, they gave some mice the herbal powder while others received no treatment. They tested the mice’s memory and thinking abilities using standard behavioral tests, similar to how researchers test cognitive function in animals.

The researchers used multiple advanced techniques to understand how the herbal powder worked. They examined the mice’s brains under microscopes, measured brain chemicals, analyzed the bacteria living in the mice’s guts, and tested the mice’s blood for nutrient levels. Most importantly, they performed a fecal microbiota transplantation—essentially transferring gut bacteria from treated mice to untreated mice—to prove that the gut bacteria changes were actually responsible for the brain improvements.

This multi-layered approach allowed the scientists to trace a clear path from the herbal powder to gut bacteria changes to brain protection, making their findings more convincing than if they had only looked at one aspect.

This research approach is important because it doesn’t just show that something works—it explains exactly how it works. By testing the herbal powder, examining the brain, studying gut bacteria, and then transferring bacteria between mice, the researchers proved that gut health directly affects brain health. This ‘gut-brain connection’ is increasingly recognized as crucial for understanding obesity-related brain problems.

The study’s strength comes from its comprehensive approach using multiple scientific techniques to verify results. The fecal microbiota transplantation experiment is particularly powerful because it proves cause-and-effect rather than just showing correlation. However, this is animal research, so results may not directly translate to humans. The study was published in a peer-reviewed journal, meaning other experts reviewed the work before publication. The specific sample size of mice wasn’t provided in the abstract, which is a minor limitation for evaluating the statistical power of the findings.

What the Results Show

Mice fed a high-fat diet developed clear problems with memory and thinking, confirming that obesity damages brain function. When these obese mice received the herbal powder, their memory and thinking skills improved significantly on standard memory tests. The researchers found that the herbal powder restored healthy connections between brain cells in the memory center of the brain (the hippocampus), and increased important brain-protecting proteins called BDNF and PSD95.

The herbal powder also reduced inflammation in the brain. Obesity causes immune cells in the brain (called microglia) to become overactive and cause damage, similar to how inflammation damages the body during infection. The herbal powder calmed down these overactive immune cells, reducing harmful inflammatory chemicals.

In the gut, the herbal powder fixed damage to the intestinal barrier—the protective lining that controls what enters the bloodstream. A damaged gut barrier allows harmful substances to leak into the blood and reach the brain, causing inflammation. The powder thickened the protective mucus layer and strengthened the tight junctions that seal the intestinal wall.

Most importantly, the herbal powder changed the composition of gut bacteria in ways that increased vitamin B6 production. Blood tests showed that treated mice had higher vitamin B6 levels, and when researchers transferred these healthy bacteria to untreated obese mice, those mice also showed brain improvements.

The herbal powder reduced the amount of harmful bacterial toxins (endotoxins) that leaked from the gut into the bloodstream—a key mechanism linking gut health to brain inflammation. It also decreased pro-inflammatory chemicals (TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6) that were elevated in obese mice. The specific bacteria that increased in treated mice had enhanced capacity to produce vitamin B6, suggesting this B vitamin is a key protective factor for the brain.

This research builds on growing evidence that obesity damages brain function and that gut bacteria play a role in this process. Previous studies showed that obesity causes brain inflammation and memory problems, but this study goes further by identifying a specific mechanism: the gut-bacteria-vitamin B6 pathway. The use of traditional Chinese medicine in this context is novel, though the individual components of Shenling Baizhu Powder have been studied separately for gastrointestinal benefits. This research bridges traditional medicine knowledge with modern understanding of the gut-brain connection.

This study was conducted in mice, not humans, so results may not directly apply to people. The herbal powder was given as a decoction (boiled liquid), which may not be how it’s typically used in humans. The study didn’t test whether the herbal powder works in lean mice or in mice with normal diets, so it’s unclear if benefits are specific to obesity-related brain problems. The exact mechanisms by which the herbal powder changes gut bacteria composition weren’t fully explained. Additionally, the study focused on male mice only, so it’s unknown whether results would be similar in females.

The Bottom Line

Based on this research, herbal treatments targeting gut health show promise for protecting brain function in obesity, but human clinical trials are needed before recommendations can be made. This is preliminary evidence suggesting potential benefit—not yet proven safe or effective in people. Anyone interested in using traditional Chinese medicine for cognitive health should consult with a healthcare provider, as the herbal powder hasn’t been tested for safety or effectiveness in humans.

This research is most relevant to people with obesity who are concerned about memory and thinking problems, and to researchers studying the gut-brain connection. It may eventually interest people at risk for cognitive decline or neurodegenerative diseases. However, until human studies are completed, this remains a scientific finding rather than a practical treatment recommendation. People should not self-treat based on this animal research.

In this mouse study, improvements appeared after just 4 weeks of treatment. If similar effects occur in humans, benefits might take weeks to months to become noticeable. However, human studies would need to be conducted to determine realistic timelines for real-world use.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Users interested in gut-brain health could track weekly cognitive performance using simple memory tests (like recalling a list of items) and digestive health markers (bloating, regularity, energy levels) to monitor changes over time
  • Users could implement dietary changes that support healthy gut bacteria—increasing fiber intake, adding fermented foods, and reducing processed foods—while tracking any changes in mental clarity and memory alongside digestive improvements
  • Establish a baseline of cognitive function and digestive health, then monitor monthly for changes in memory, focus, mood, and digestive comfort. Track any dietary or supplement changes alongside these metrics to identify patterns between gut health improvements and cognitive benefits

This research was conducted in mice and has not been tested in humans. Shenling Baizhu Powder is not approved by the FDA for treating cognitive impairment or obesity-related brain problems. Do not use this herbal formula to treat or prevent any medical condition without consulting a healthcare provider. This summary is for educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Anyone with cognitive concerns or obesity should work with qualified healthcare professionals for proper diagnosis and treatment.