A study on the effects of metacinnabar (β-HgS) on weight and appetite recovery in stressed mice

Depression is a prevalent stress disorder, yet the underlying physiological mechanisms linking stress to appetite and weight loss remain elusive. While most antidepressants are associated with excessive weight and appetite gain, sertraline (SER) exhibits a lower risk of these side effects. Metacinnabar (β-HgS), the primary component of Tibetan medicine Zuotai, has been shown to enhance mice's resilience against external stress without causing excessive increases in weight or appetite. However, the precise physiological pathway through which β-HgS restores appetite and weight in stressed mice remains unclear.