Gut microbiota as a target for prevention and treatment of type 2 diabetes: Mechanisms and dietary natural products

Abstract

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is among the most remarkable public health concerns globally. Accumulating research evidence documents that alteration of gut microbiota has an indispensable role in the onset and progression of obesity and T2DM. A reduced microbial diversity is linked to insulin resistance and energy metabolism, especially for the rise of the Firmicutes / Bacteroidetes ratio. Changes in metabolites followed by the gut dysbacteriosis are linked to the presence of T2DM. Moreover, endotoxin leakage and gut permeability caused by gut dysbacteriosis is more of a trigger for the onset and progression of T2DM. Research documents that natural products are remarkable arsenals of bioactive agents for the discovery of anti-T2DM drugs. Many studies have elucidated that the possible mechanisms of the anti-T2DM effects of natural products are remarkably linked to its regulation on the composition of gut microflora and the successive changes in metabolites directly or indirectly. This review presents a brief overview of the gut microbiota in T2DM and several relevant mechanisms, including short-chain fatty acids, biosynthesis and metabolism of branched-chain fatty acids, trimethylamine N-oxide, bile acid signaling, endotoxin leakage, and gut permeability, and describes how dietary natural products can improve T2DM via the gut microbiota.

Correlation between gut bacteria Phascolarctobacterium and exogenous metabolite α-linolenic acid in T2DM: a case-control study

“…16SrRNA third-generation full-length sequencing was used to evaluate the changed characteristics of intestinal microbials of different groups. At the genus level, the abundances of Bacteroides, Prevotella, and Phascolarctobacterium decreased in intestinal flora of the T2DM group, while the abundance of Escherichia increased, which was consistent with previous research (19)(20)(21). In this experiment, the fecal metabolites alpha-linolenic acid, PC(18:3(6Z,9Z,12Z)/24:1(15Z)), and traumatin were enriched in the alpha-linolenic acid metabolic pathway, and alpha-linolenic acid and erucic acid were enriched in the biosynthesis of unsaturated fatty acids, in which the former had a significant positive relationship with Phascolarctobacterium.…”

Tang-Ping-San Decoction Remodel Intestinal Flora and Barrier to Ameliorate Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Rodent Model

“…The ratio between these phyla is associated with several diseases; it is significantly increased in several models, including T2DM, nonalcoholic fatty liver, and depression. [40][41][42] Several data have shown that diabetes mellitus and obesity can increase the F/B ratio in humans and animals. 43 Lowering the F/B ratio can alleviate metabolic disorders and inflammatory reactions.…”

Potential role of Limosilactobacillus fermentum as a probiotic with anti-diabetic properties: A review

“…The findings involving the association between gut dysbiosis and DM reinforce the importance of gut-targeting approaches in the treatment of DM[ 19 - 21 ] Strategies capable of recovering the community of commensal GM and controlling DM have recently increased. Probiotic therapy has begun to be used to improve GM composition and management of DM[ 22 , 23 ].…”