Obesity is a significant global health concern that not only increases metabolic disorders risks but also impacts mental health, particularly affecting women due to hormonal fluctuations and societal pressures. This study investigated anti-obesity and anti-anxiety effects of lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) extracts in female C57BL/6 mouse (n = 16, 17 weeks old) fed a high-fat diet (HFD). We compared 2 extracts method: distilled water (LBD, n = 5) and 80% ethanol (LBE, n = 6), administered via oral gavage (200 mg/kg/day) for 6 weeks alongside HFD. Both extract groups showed lower weight increase ratio compared to the control group in experiment period (n = 5) (LBD: 27.74%, LBE: 29.71% vs. Control: 51.88%, p < 0.05). The extracts significantly decreased mesenteric white adipose tissue (mWAT) among WATs examined (mWAT and parametrial white adipose tissue [pWAT]). While both LBD and LBE reduced fatty acid synthase (FAS) mRNA expression in pWAT, only LBD reduced peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma and FAS mRNA expression in mWAT. In elevated plus maze behavioral experiments, the LBD group displayed reduced anxiety-like behavior, spending significantly more time and travelling greater distances in the open arms compared to other groups (p < 0.05), independent of brain inflammatory markers. Our findings demonstrate lemon balm extracts simultaneously address both obesity and anxiety-like behaviors in female mice, with extraction solvent-dependent variations in efficacy and mechanism of action. These results suggest potential therapeutic applications for lemon balm as a functional food ingredient, particularly for women experiencing concurrent obesity and anxiety symptoms.

Citations

Citations to this article as recorded by  

• Melissa officinalis L. (Lemon Balm): An Integrative Review of Phytochemistry and Evidence from Preclinical Research to Clinical Studies
  Ioan-Alexandru Cîmpeanu, Casiana Boru, Cristina Adriana Dehelean, Sergio Liga, Raluca Mioara Cosoroabă, Simona Ardelean, Roxana Popescu, Daliborca Vlad
  Plants.2026; 15(4): 650.     CrossRef
• Plasma and Brain Metabolomics Uncover Modulation of Bile Acid and Pentose Phosphate Pathways by Melissa officinalis in Obese Rat Model
  Fatima Zohra Aberkane, Laura Natalia Ferro Holguín, Anne-Sophie Roy, Claire Maltret, Sekhou Cisse, Mohammed El Amine Benarbia, Séverine Boisard, Mohamed Yassine Mallem, David Guilet
  International Journal of Molecular Sciences.2026; 27(5): 2391.     CrossRef
• Development of Composition, Technology, and Approaches to Standardization of Syrup with Dry Extract from Melissa officinalis Herb
  V. A. Kurkin, A. I. Epifanova, A. V. Kurkina, A. R. Mubinov
  Pharmaceutical Chemistry Journal.2026;[Epub]     CrossRef
• Differential impacts of high-intensity interval training and moderate-intensity continuous training on obesity-induced behavioral and biochemical dysregulation in male mice
  Hossein Nazari, Ayoob Sabaghi, Ershad Nedaei, Namdar Yousofvand
  Sport Sciences for Health.2025; 21(3): 1673.     CrossRef