Malus hupehensis leaves (MHL) are used to make traditional Chinese tea. In this study, MHL extract was shown to improve metabolic disorders and inflammatory response in high‐fat diet‐induced obese mice. MHL extract could reduce body weight, and significantly alleviate liver damage and fat accumulation. MHL extract caused a decrease in the levels of ALT, AST, AKP, TC, TG, LDL‐C, and an increase in the level of HDL‐C. It also caused a decrease in inflammatory cytokines, including TNF‐α, IFN‐γ, IL‐1β, IL‐6, and an increase in the anti‐inflammatory cytokine IL‐10 and IL‐4. MHL extract could upregulate mRNA expression of PPAR‐α, LPL, CPT1, CYP7A1, SOD1, SOD2, CAT, GSH1, and GSH‐Px and downregulate that of PPAR‐γ and C/EBP‐α in the liver of obese mice. In conclusion, our work represents the first study demonstrating that MHL extract possesses an anti‐obesity effect and alleviates obesity‐related symptoms, including dyslipidemia, chronic low‐grade inflammatory, and liver damage.

The research may contribute to the development and application of MHL as functional foods or dietary supplement to fight against obesity.