Scientists discovered that myricanol, a natural compound found in the bark of a plant used in Asian medicine, may help the body burn fat more efficiently and lose weight. In a study with obese mice, the compound reduced fat buildup in the liver and around the belly, lowered unhealthy cholesterol levels, and helped the body’s energy-producing structures (mitochondria) work better. The mice that received myricanol lost weight in just one week and showed improvements in how their bodies processed fats. While these results are promising, this research was done in mice, so scientists will need to test it in humans before we know if it could help people with weight and cholesterol problems.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether a natural plant compound called myricanol could help obese mice lose weight and improve how their bodies handle fat
  • Who participated: Laboratory mice that were made overweight by feeding them a high-fat diet, divided into different treatment groups including one receiving myricanol and one receiving a diabetes medication as a comparison
  • Key finding: Mice treated with myricanol lost weight within 7 days, had lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels, and showed improved fat-burning ability compared to untreated obese mice
  • What it means for you: This suggests myricanol might one day help people with weight and cholesterol problems, but much more research in humans is needed before it could become a treatment. Don’t expect this as a weight-loss solution yet—this is early-stage science.

The Research Details

Researchers created obese mice by feeding them a high-fat diet for 8 weeks. Then they divided the mice into groups: some received myricanol (at two different doses), some received a diabetes drug called rosiglitazone (as a comparison), and some received no treatment. For 25 days, they tracked how the mice’s bodies changed, measuring weight, blood fat levels, and liver health.

The scientists used multiple advanced techniques to understand how myricanol worked. They examined liver and fat tissue under microscopes, tested blood samples, analyzed the bacteria living in the mice’s stomachs, and studied which genes were turned on or off. They even used special tests to confirm that myricanol directly attached to specific proteins involved in fat processing.

This multi-layered approach allowed researchers to see not just that myricanol worked, but also the detailed biological pathways explaining why it worked.

Using multiple research methods together (called ‘multimodal analysis’) is important because it shows how a treatment works at different levels—from genes to whole-body effects. This makes the findings more convincing and helps scientists understand whether the results are real or just coincidence. Testing in mice first is standard practice before human trials.

Strengths: The study used multiple advanced techniques to confirm findings, included a positive control group (the diabetes drug) for comparison, and examined mechanisms at multiple biological levels. Limitations: This was only tested in mice, not humans; the sample size wasn’t specified; and mice don’t always respond the same way humans do to treatments. The research is recent (2026) and published in a peer-reviewed journal, which adds credibility.

What the Results Show

Myricanol treatment produced impressive results in obese mice. Within just 7 days, mice receiving myricanol began losing weight—faster than the comparison group receiving the diabetes drug. After 25 days of treatment, the mice had significantly lower levels of total cholesterol and triglycerides (blood fats), while their ‘good’ cholesterol (HDL) improved.

When researchers examined the mice’s livers under a microscope, they found much less fat accumulation in the liver cells of treated mice compared to untreated obese mice. The belly fat deposits also shrank noticeably. These are important improvements because excess liver fat and belly fat are linked to serious health problems in both mice and humans.

The compound appeared to work by activating specific proteins that control how the body processes and burns fat. Myricanol increased the activity of genes involved in breaking down fatty acids and producing energy. Interestingly, the compound also boosted the number and function of mitochondria—the tiny structures inside cells that act like power plants, burning fuel for energy.

The higher-dose myricanol group (150 mg/kg) showed better results than the lower-dose group (100 mg/kg), suggesting the effect was dose-dependent—more compound produced stronger effects.

Beyond weight loss and cholesterol improvements, myricanol triggered several other beneficial changes. The compound increased ketone bodies and acetyl-CoA (molecules the body uses for energy), suggesting the body was burning fat more efficiently for fuel. The bacteria living in the mice’s intestines also changed in beneficial ways, with increases in certain bacterial species known to support metabolic health. Additionally, myricanol appeared to reduce inflammation and boost immune function through specific pathways. These secondary effects suggest myricanol works through multiple mechanisms, not just one pathway.

This research builds on previous knowledge that myricanol has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. However, this is the first detailed study showing how myricanol specifically affects the fat-processing pathway (PPARγ/ACSL1/SCD1 axis) and promotes mitochondrial health. The results were comparable to or better than rosiglitazone, a diabetes medication used as a positive control, which is noteworthy since rosiglitazone is an established pharmaceutical treatment. This suggests myricanol could be a natural alternative worth further investigation.

The most important limitation is that this study was conducted only in mice. Mice and humans have different metabolisms, and treatments that work in mice don’t always work in people. The exact dose that would be appropriate for humans is unknown. The study didn’t track long-term effects—only 25 days of treatment—so we don’t know if benefits persist or if side effects might develop over time. The sample size wasn’t clearly reported, making it harder to assess statistical reliability. Additionally, this was a laboratory study with controlled conditions; real-world results in humans eating normal diets might differ significantly. The research is very recent (2026) and hasn’t yet been confirmed by independent research teams.

The Bottom Line

Current evidence level: Early-stage animal research. At this point, myricanol should not be used as a weight-loss or cholesterol treatment outside of clinical research settings. People with high cholesterol or obesity should continue following their doctor’s advice and using proven treatments. However, this research suggests myricanol is worth further investigation and may eventually lead to new treatments. If human trials are eventually conducted and show safety and effectiveness, myricanol could potentially become a complementary therapy alongside lifestyle changes.

This research is most relevant to: (1) Scientists and pharmaceutical companies developing new obesity and cholesterol treatments; (2) People interested in natural remedies and plant-based medicine; (3) Individuals with high cholesterol or obesity who are interested in emerging treatments. This research is NOT yet ready for: People looking for an immediate weight-loss solution, anyone considering self-treating with myricanol supplements (safety and dosing in humans unknown), or those who should rely on proven medical treatments.

In mice, benefits appeared within 7 days, but this doesn’t mean humans would see results that quickly. If myricanol eventually enters human trials, it would typically take 5-10 years of research before it could potentially become available as a treatment. Even then, results would likely be gradual—probably weeks to months to see meaningful weight loss or cholesterol improvements, similar to current medications.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Users interested in weight management could track: weekly weight (same day/time), waist circumference monthly, energy levels daily (1-10 scale), and appetite changes. If myricanol becomes available for human use in the future, these metrics would help assess personal response.
  • While myricanol isn’t yet available for human use, users can prepare by: (1) Tracking current weight and cholesterol levels as a baseline; (2) Documenting diet and exercise habits to understand personal metabolic patterns; (3) Setting realistic weight-loss goals (1-2 pounds per week is healthy); (4) Monitoring how different foods affect energy and digestion. This creates a foundation for evaluating any future treatment.
  • Establish a long-term tracking system: weekly weigh-ins, monthly body measurements, quarterly blood work (cholesterol, triglycerides), and daily notes on energy, digestion, and appetite. This comprehensive approach would be essential if myricanol becomes available, allowing users and doctors to objectively measure whether it’s working for their individual situation.

This research was conducted in mice and has not been tested in humans. Myricanol is not currently approved as a medical treatment and should not be used to treat obesity, high cholesterol, or any other health condition without direct medical supervision and approval. The findings are preliminary and require confirmation through human clinical trials before any therapeutic claims can be made. Anyone with high cholesterol, obesity, or related health concerns should consult with their healthcare provider about proven, evidence-based treatments. Do not self-treat with myricanol supplements or other unproven remedies without medical guidance. This summary is for educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice.