Mechanistic Insights into Selected Traditional Chinese Medicine Formulas and Their Key Herbs for Weight Management

With the global prevalence of obesity continuing to rise, there is increasing interest in weight-loss strategies that are both effective and associated with minimal side effects. Compared to conventional pharmacological treatments, which often involve adverse effects, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) emphasizes holistic regulation and con-stitution-based therapy, offering a gentler approach to weight management. This review integrates insights from classical texts and modern scientific research to introduce five classic TCM weight-loss formulas: Lotus Leaf Charcoal Formula , Qing Shen San , Da Chai Hu Tang , Seaweed Slimming Decoction , and the Qing Dynasty Imperial Slimming Tea . Their compositions, traditional indications, and pharmacological mechanisms are discussed. Representative herbs, such as Lotus leaf, Poria, Hawthorn, Astragalus, and Alisma, have been further examined for their regulatory effects on lipid metabolism, insulin sensitivity, gut microbiota, and adipocyte differentiation. Evidence suggests that these herbs may exert anti-obesity effects by modulating key signaling pathways, including PPAR-α, SREBP-1c, and AMPK. The alignment of traditional herbal formulations with modern biomedical mechanisms provides a scientific basis for developing integrated therapeutic strategies in obesity management.