Objective To explore the change trend and related mechanism of resting metabolic rate induced by corticosterone in mice, and observe the intervention effects of Zhibai Dihuang Pill and Jinkui Shenqi pill. Methods Sixty-four mice were randomly divided into short-term and long-term groups, and each group was randomly divided into four groups. Mice in CORT group, ZBDH group and JKSQ group were given sterile drinking water containing corticosterone, and mice in Ctrl group were given sterile drinking water containing 1% anhydrous ethanol. Mice in ZBDH group and JKSQ group were given Chinese medicine by gavage. RMR of mice in each group was dynamically monitored during modeling and Chinese medicine intervention. The morphology of mitochondria in liver and muscle were observed by transmission electron microscope. The TR expression level in liver and muscle tissues of each group was observed by immunofluorescence, and MDA and ATP levels were detected in liver and muscle tissues of each group. levels of ACTH, TSH, INS, T3, T4, FT3, FT4, 8-OHdG, FGF-21, GDF-15, L-lactic acid and pyruvic acid in serum were also detected. Results Compared with Ctrl group, the mitochondrial morphology of liver and muscle tissues in CORT group was damaged, and the expression of TR was decreased. In short-term (Day 8), RMR, ATP in liver, serum T4, ACTH and INS levels were significantly increased in the CORT group, while serum FGF-21, TSH levels and MDA in liver were significantly decreased. In long term (Day 56), RMR, serum 8-OhdG, INS, and ATP in liver and muscle were significantly decreased in the CORT group, serum FGF-21, GDF-15, T3, T4, FT3, FT4, MDA in liver and muscle were significantly increased. Compared with CORT group, in short term, RMR, serum L (+)-lactate in ZBDH group were significantly decreased, while serum 8-OHdG and the expression of TRα in muscle significantly increased. In JKSQ group, the mitochondrial morphology of muscle tissue was improved, the expression of TRα and serum FGF-21 were significantly increased, while serum L(+)-lactic acid, FT4 and ATP in liver were significantly decreased. In long term, serum FGF-21 was significantly lower in ZBDH group, and in JKSQ group, RMR, ATP in liver tissue and TRα expression in muscle were significantly increased, while the levels of FGF21, GDF-15, T3, FT4 in serum and MDA in muscle tissue were significantly decreased. Conclusions CORT induced RMR to increase first and then decrease with the intervention time. In the short term, Zhibai Dihuang Pill significantly decreased RMR in mice, while in the long term, Jinkui Shenqi Pill significantly increased RMR. The mechanism may be related to mitochondrial injury, thyroxine secretion and thyroxine receptor expression.