A comprehensive analysis of oxytocin: a potential brain-based treatment to regulate obesity.

Alsayegh AA, Ashfaq F, Bajahzer M, Alshaharani MY, Almutairi AS, Khan MI, Alhomaid RM, Beg MMA

Frontiers in endocrinology5 Jan 2026

PMID41561046PMCIDPMC12812753DOI10.3389/fendo.2025.1708807PepBankPUB-41561046

Summary

BackgroundGlobally, obesity is a serious health issue, and oxytocin may help regulate appetite and reduce food intake, particularly in obese individuals. One promising treatment option for controlling appetite and lowering food intake is oxytocin among the people living with obesity or overweight. Based on the relevant clinical studies, this systematic review article explored the role of oxytocin and its connection with obesity.MethodsThis review adhered to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) 2020 guidelines to ensure that our reporting was accurate and comprehensive. We examined 14 interventional studies (2015-2025) from PubMed, MEDLINE, and Scopus that had open full-text access using the keywords "Oxytocin", "Obesity", and "Oxytocin in Obesity".ResultsOxytocin could be the treatment option for obesity and poor eating patterns, and it has been demonstrated that intranasal oxytocin administration reduces appetite and increases feelings of fullness, particularly in people with obesity. Administering a nasal spray of oxytocin (24 IU) can reduce appetite. Because it makes them feel fuller and less hungry, this is especially true for people with obesity. Additionally, oxytocin alters the way the brain functions in regions that govern reward and decision-making, which lessens food cravings, according to functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). By influencing gut bacteria, it may also increase metabolism and assist people in controlling their eating habits. Oxytocin administration is associated with a significant reduction in weight and improved body composition. Additionally, it appears to have the potential to alleviate pregnancy related obesity. Although the initial findings are encouraging, more extensive research is necessary to confirm its effectiveness. Healthy eating and metabolism are associated with natural oxytocin levels, which suggests that it may be used to treat obesity.ConclusionOxytocin modulates appetite and brain reward pathways, offering a novel, brain-targeted approach to obesity treatment. Furthermore, clinical studies should explore long-term effects and optimal dosing to manage obesity.

CC BYText from Europe PMC. Highlighted sentences are the source of results.

Results from this study8

7 results from studies that gave the peptide. 7 results from people.

01HumanSystematic reviewEfficacy outcome
In people with obesity, intranasal oxytocin administration reduced appetite according to this review.
In plain wordsIn people with obesity, oxytocin sprayed into the nose reduced appetite, according to a review of studies.
Peptide
Oxytocin
Outcome
DecreaseAppetite
Study
n: not reported in source
Outcome group
Appetite and food intake · Metabolic and weight
Studied dose
Dose not stated · intranasalAs given in this study (human).
Source sentences
Summary
Oxytocin could be the treatment option for obesity and poor eating patterns, and it has been demonstrated that intranasal oxytocin administration reduces appetite and increases feelings of fullness, particularly in people with obesity.
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
We examined 14 interventional studies (2015-2025) from PubMed, MEDLINE, and Scopus that had open full-text access using the keywords "Oxytocin", "Obesity", and "Oxytocin in Obesity".
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-4156104601
02HumanSystematic reviewEfficacy outcome
In people with obesity, intranasal oxytocin administration increased feelings of fullness according to this review.
In plain wordsIn people with obesity, oxytocin sprayed into the nose increased feelings of fullness, according to a review of studies.
Peptide
Oxytocin
Outcome
IncreaseFeelings of fullness
Study
n: not reported in source
Outcome group
Appetite and food intake · Metabolic and weight
Studied dose
Dose not stated · intranasalAs given in this study (human).
Source sentences
Summary
Oxytocin could be the treatment option for obesity and poor eating patterns, and it has been demonstrated that intranasal oxytocin administration reduces appetite and increases feelings of fullness, particularly in people with obesity.
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
We examined 14 interventional studies (2015-2025) from PubMed, MEDLINE, and Scopus that had open full-text access using the keywords "Oxytocin", "Obesity", and "Oxytocin in Obesity".
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-4156104602
03HumanSystematic reviewEfficacy outcome
A nasal spray of oxytocin (24 IU) reduced appetite according to this review.
In plain wordsA 24 IU oxytocin nasal spray reduced appetite, according to a review of studies.
Peptide
Oxytocin
Outcome
DecreaseAppetite after a 24 IU nasal spray
Study
n: not reported in source
Outcome group
Appetite and food intake · Metabolic and weight
Studied dose
24 IU · intranasalAs given in this study (human).
Source sentences
Summary
Administering a nasal spray of oxytocin (24 IU) can reduce appetite.
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
We examined 14 interventional studies (2015-2025) from PubMed, MEDLINE, and Scopus that had open full-text access using the keywords "Oxytocin", "Obesity", and "Oxytocin in Obesity".
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-4156104603
04HumanSystematic reviewMechanism
According to fMRI studies in this review, oxytocin altered brain function in regions that govern reward and decision-making.
In plain wordsA review reports that brain scans showed oxytocin changed activity in brain regions for reward and decisions.
Peptide
Oxytocin
Outcome
MixedBrain function in reward and decision-making regions (fMRI)
Study
n: not reported in source
Outcome group
Appetite and food intake · Nervous system and cognition
Studied dose
Dose not stated
Source sentences
Summary
Additionally, oxytocin alters the way the brain functions in regions that govern reward and decision-making, which lessens food cravings, according to functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI).
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
We examined 14 interventional studies (2015-2025) from PubMed, MEDLINE, and Scopus that had open full-text access using the keywords "Oxytocin", "Obesity", and "Oxytocin in Obesity".
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-4156104604
05HumanSystematic reviewEfficacy outcome
According to fMRI studies in this review, oxytocin lessened food cravings.
In plain wordsA review reports that oxytocin lessened food cravings.
Peptide
Oxytocin
Outcome
DecreaseFood cravings
Study
n: not reported in source
Outcome group
Appetite and food intake · Metabolic and weight
Studied dose
Dose not stated
Source sentences
Summary
Additionally, oxytocin alters the way the brain functions in regions that govern reward and decision-making, which lessens food cravings, according to functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI).
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
We examined 14 interventional studies (2015-2025) from PubMed, MEDLINE, and Scopus that had open full-text access using the keywords "Oxytocin", "Obesity", and "Oxytocin in Obesity".
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-4156104605
06HumanSystematic reviewEfficacy outcome
In this review, oxytocin administration was associated with a significant reduction in weight.
In plain wordsA review links oxytocin administration to a significant reduction in weight.
Peptide
Oxytocin
Outcome
DecreaseBody weight
Study
n: not reported in source
Outcome group
Body weight · Metabolic and weight
Studied dose
Dose not stated
Source sentences
Summary
Oxytocin administration is associated with a significant reduction in weight and improved body composition.
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
We examined 14 interventional studies (2015-2025) from PubMed, MEDLINE, and Scopus that had open full-text access using the keywords "Oxytocin", "Obesity", and "Oxytocin in Obesity".
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-4156104606
07HumanSystematic reviewEfficacy outcome
In this review, oxytocin administration was associated with improved body composition.
In plain wordsA review links oxytocin administration to improved body composition.
Peptide
Oxytocin
Outcome
Direction not reportedBody composition
Study
n: not reported in source
Outcome group
Body weight · Metabolic and weight
Studied dose
Dose not stated
Source sentences
Summary
Oxytocin administration is associated with a significant reduction in weight and improved body composition.
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
We examined 14 interventional studies (2015-2025) from PubMed, MEDLINE, and Scopus that had open full-text access using the keywords "Oxytocin", "Obesity", and "Oxytocin in Obesity".
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-4156104607

Natural levels measured1

These results measure the body's own peptide. Nobody was given the peptide. They are not evidence about taking it. They are left out of key results, evidence counts and charts.

08HumanEndogenous levelSystematic reviewOther
In this review, healthy eating and metabolism were associated with natural oxytocin levels.
In plain wordsA review links healthy eating and metabolism to the body's own oxytocin levels.
Peptide
Oxytocin
Outcome
Not applicableNatural oxytocin levels and healthy eating and metabolism
Study
n: not reported in source
Outcome group
Appetite and food intake · Metabolic and weight
Source sentences
Summary
Healthy eating and metabolism are associated with natural oxytocin levels, which suggests that it may be used to treat obesity.
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
We examined 14 interventional studies (2015-2025) from PubMed, MEDLINE, and Scopus that had open full-text access using the keywords "Oxytocin", "Obesity", and "Oxytocin in Obesity".
This result measures the body's own Oxytocin. Nobody was given the peptide. It is not evidence about taking it.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-4156104608

AI wrote and checked these results. AI can make mistakes, so check important results against the source.

Version history

PepBank keeps every version of the data on this study. Status changes from Retraction Watch, Europe PMC and Crossref are listed with their source.

Version 2Current
11 Oct 2026, 00:50 UTC
Study results updated
Version 1
9 Oct 2026, 02:47 UTC
First added · source update from Europe PMC

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Terms as the source lists them.

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