Objective To explore the change trend and related mechanism of resting energy metabolic rate induced by corticosterone in mice, and observe the intervention effect of Zhibai Dihuang Pill and Jinkui Shenqi pill. Methods Sixty-four mice were randomly divided into two short-term and long-term groups, and each group was randomly divided into four groups: blank control group, model group, Zhibai Dihuang pill group and Jinkui Shenqi pill group. Mice in model group, Zhibai Dihuang Pill group and Jinkui Shenqi pill group were given sterile drinking water containing corticosterone, and mice in blank control group were given sterile drinking water containing 1% anhydrous ethanol. Mice in Zhibai Dihuang Pill group and Jinkui Shenqi pill group were given of Zhibai Dihuang Pill and Jinkui Shenqi pill suspension, and mice in blank control group and model group were given the same amount of normal saline. RMR of mice in each group was dynamically monitored during modeling and Chinese medicine intervention. After the experiment, serum, liver and muscle of mice in each group were retained. The morphology of mitochondria in liver and muscle were observed by transmission electron microscope. The Thyroid hormone receptor (TR) expression level in liver and muscle tissues of each group was observed by immunofluorescence, and Malondialdehyde (MDA) was detected in liver and muscle tissues of each group. Levels of MDA, Adenosine triphosphate (ATP), adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), Insulin (INS), Triiodothyronine (T3), Thyroxine (T4), Free triiodothyronine (FT3), Free thyroxine (FT4), 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), Fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF-21), Growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF-15), L-lactic acid\ Pyruvic acid levels. Results Compared with the Ctrl group, the mitochondrial morphology of liver and muscle was damaged and the expression of TR was decreased in the CORT group. Compared with Ctrl group, RMR, ATP contents in liver, thr levels of T4, ACTH and INS in serum were significantly increased in CORT group in short-term (Day8), while the levels of FGF-21, TSH in serum and MDA contents in liver were significantly decreased in long-term (Day56). The levels of RMR, the levels of 8-OhdG, INS in serum, ATP contents in liver and muscle were significantly decreased in CORT group, while the levels of FGF-21, GDF-15, T3, T4, FT3, FT4 in serum, MDA contents in liver and muscle were significantly increased. Compared with CORT group, TRα expression in muscle tissue of ZBDH Group increased in short-term. The mitochondrial morphology of muscle tissue in JKSQ Group was improved, and the expression of TRα in muscle tissue was increased. Long-term, JKSQ Group also significantly increased TRα expression in muscle tissue. Compared with CORT group, RMR and levels of L-lactic acid in serum were significantly decreased and levels of 8-OHdG in serum were significantly increased in ZBDH Group. The levels of FGF-21 in serum in JKSQ Group were significantly increased, and the levels of L-lactic acid, FT4 in serum and ATP contents in liver tissue were significantly decreased. In long-term, the levels of FGF-21 in serum in ZBDH Group was significantly decreased. The levels of RMR and ATP contents in liver were significantly increased, while the levels of FGF-21, GDF-15, T3, FT4 and MDA in muscle tissue were significantly decreased in JKSQ Group. Conclusion CORT induced RMR to increase first and then decrease with the intervention time. In the short-term application of CORT, Zhibai Dihuang Pill significantly decreased RMR in mice, while in the long-term application, Jinkui Shenqi Pill significantly increased RMR in mice. The mechanism may be related to mitochondrial injury, thyroxine secretion and thyroxine receptor expression.