OBJECTIVE To systematically evaluate the anti-obesity effects of Shenling Baizhu San in powder and decoction forms, its impact on lipid metabolic profile remodeling, and to explore the underlying molecular mechanisms.

METHODS A high-fat diet–induced obese mouse model was established and treated with Shenling Baizhu San in powder or decoction form for 12 weeks. Anti-obesity effects were assessed by monitoring body weight changes, biochemical parameters, and histopathological alterations. Serum lipidomic profiling was performed using UPLC–Q-Exactive high-resolution mass spectrometry. The expression of genes related to lipid metabolism and white adipose tissue browning was analyzed by quantitative real-time PCR.

RESULTS Both the powder and decoction forms of Shenling Baizhu San significantly attenuated high-fat diet–induced body weight gain, dyslipidemia, adipocyte hypertrophy, and hepatic lipid accumulation in mice. Lipidomic analysis revealed that both the powder and high-dose decoction markedly remodeled the serum lipid profile, characterized by decreased levels of triglycerides and free fatty acids and increased levels of cardiolipins and phosphatidylcholines. Gene expression analysis showed that both forms significantly upregulated the expression of browning-related genes in white adipose tissue, including Ucp1, Cidea, and Cox7a1, as well as genes involved in fatty acid uptake, oxidation, and adipocyte differentiation, such as Lpl, Cpt1a, Acox1, Pparg, and Prdm16.

CONCLUSION Shenling Baizhu San significantly ameliorates high-fat diet–induced obesity and associated metabolic disorders by systemically remodeling lipid metabolic networks, promoting white adipose tissue browning, and enhancing fatty acid oxidation. Furthermore, the powder and decoction forms show good consistency in their overall metabolic improvement effects.