Effects of Danggui Buxue decoction on host gut microbiota and metabolism in GK rats with type 2 diabetes

Abstract

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by persistent abnormally elevated blood sugar levels. T2DM affects millions of people and exerts a significant global public health burden. Danggui Buxue decoction (DBD), a classical Chinese herbal formula composed of Astragalus membranaceus (Huangqi) and Angelica sinensis (Danggui), has been widely used in the clinical treatment of diabetes and its complications. However, the effect of DBD on the gut microbiota of individuals with diabetes and its metabolism are still poorly understood. In this study, a T2DM model was established in Goto-Kakizaki (GK) rats, which were then treated with a clinical dose of DBD (4 g/kg) through tube feeding for 6 weeks. Next, we used 16S rRNA sequencing and untargeted metabolomics by liquid chromatography with mass spectrometry (LC–MS) to detect changes in the composition of the microbiota and cecal metabolic products. Our data show that DBD mediates the continuous increase in blood glucose in GK rats, improves insulin sensitivity, reduces expression of inflammatory mediators, and improves systemic oxidative stress. Moreover, DBD also improves microbial diversity (e.g., Romboutsia, Firmicutes, and Bacilli) in the intestines of rats with T2DM. Further, DBD intervention also regulates various metabolic pathways in the gut microbiota, including alanine, aspartate, and glutamate metabolism. In addition, arginine biosynthesis and the isoflavone biosynthesis may be a unique mechanism by which DBD exerts its effects. Taken together, we show that DBD is a promising therapeutic agent that can restore the imbalance found in the gut microbiota of T2DM rats. DBD may modify metabolites in the microbiota to realize its antidiabetic and anti-inflammatory effects.

Hypoglycemic Effect of Edible Fungi Polysaccharides Depends on Their Metabolites from the Fermentation of Human Fecal Microbiota

“…N-carbamoylputrescine, like SCFAs, is an important intestinal growth factor that helps maintain intestinal homeostasis [ 34 ]. Nomega-acetylhistamine was found to be significantly increased in T2DM rats after treatment with Danggui Buxue decoction [ 35 ]. Tyramine and its derivatives have powerful α-glucosidase inhibitory effects and may serve as competing amine oxidase substrates to improve diabetes [ 36 ].…”

A fluorescence probe with targeted mitochondria for detecting hydrogen peroxide in vitro and in diabetic mice

“…Diabetes is a metabolic disorder characterized by chronically elevated blood sugar levels. 1,2 Hyperglycemia triggers oxidative phosphorylation, leading to an excessive production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) while subsequent non-enzymatic glycosylation diminishes the antioxidant capacity of superoxide dismutase. 3,4 This cascade of events initiates endothelial dysfunction, further aggravating the progression of diabetes.…”