The mechanism by which BJ reduces obesity may be partly due to its inhibitory effects on the expression of TBK1 and IKKε, and may occur through two different pathways: the TBK1/AMPK/UCP1 pathway and the IKKε/adrenergic/cAMP pathway. The gene discussed is IKBKE; the disease is obesity due to melanocortin 4 receptor deficiency.