🌿 Scientific confirmation: this ancestral remedy naturally promotes significant weight loss

A compound derived from traditional Chinese medicine could open new avenues in the fight against obesity. Halofuginone, known for its effectiveness against malaria, reveals unexpected properties for metabolism.

A team of researchers has highlighted halofuginone's potential to reduce body weight and improve metabolic health. This discovery is based on studying the effects of this compound on two key proteins, GDF15 and FGF21, involved in appetite and metabolism regulation.


Experiments conducted on animal models demonstrated significant weight reduction thanks to halofuginone's action. This compound works by increasing levels of GDF15 and FGF21, leading to decreased appetite and increased energy expenditure.

Halofuginone's mechanism of action involves inhibiting EPRS1, an enzyme whose blockage appears essential for achieving the observed effects. This discovery paves the way for developing new, more affordable and better-tolerated obesity treatments.

The metabolic benefits of halofuginone were observed regardless of sex, administration method, or animal model used. This universal action strengthens its potential as a viable therapeutic option for a wide range of patients.

The study, published in Science Advances, emphasizes the importance of re-examining traditional remedies in light of modern scientific knowledge. Halofuginone, used for centuries against malaria, could thus find a new application in obesity treatment.

How does halofuginone influence metabolism?

Halofuginone works by increasing levels of two proteins, GDF15 and FGF21, which play a central role in appetite and metabolism regulation. GDF15 reduces food intake by acting on specific brain receptors, while FGF21 promotes fat burning and improves insulin sensitivity.

These proteins are naturally produced by the body in response to certain metabolic stresses. Halofuginone appears to mimic these conditions, triggering a response similar to that observed during fasting or intense exercise.

The simultaneous increase of GDF15 and FGF21 allows for a dual approach to weight management: reducing calorie intake while increasing energy expenditure. This dual action explains halofuginone's notable effectiveness in preclinical studies.

Unlike current treatments that often target only one of these pathways, halofuginone offers a more comprehensive solution. This could reduce side effects while improving treatment effectiveness, a rare combination in obesity therapies.