Shenlian (SL) Decoction, a Traditional Chinese Medicine Compound, May Ameliorate Blood Glucose via Mediating the Gut Microbiota in db/db Mice

Abstract

Shenlian (SL) decoction is a herbal formula composed of Coptis and ginseng, of which berberine and ginsenoside are the main constituents. Even though SL decoction is widely used in treating diabetes in China, the mechanism of its antidiabetes function still needs further study. Gut microbiota disorder is one of the important factors that cause diabetes. To explore the effect of SL decoction on intestinal microbiota, gut microbiota of mice was analyzed by sequencing the gut bacterial 16S rRNA V3+V4 region and metagenomics. In this study, results demonstrated that SL decoction had a better hypoglycemic effect and β cell protection effect than either ginseng or Coptis chinensis. Alpha diversity analysis showed that all interventions with ginseng, Coptis, and SL decoction could reverse the increased diversity and richness of gut microbiota in db/db mice. PCoA analysis showed oral SL decoction significantly alters gut microbiota composition in db/db mice. 395 OTUs showed significant differences after SL treatment, of which 37 OTUs enriched by SL decoction showed a significant negative correlation with FBG, and 204 OTUs decreased by SL decoction showed a significant positive correlation with FBG. Results of KEGG analysis and metagenomic sequencing showed that SL decoction could reduce the Prevotellaceae, Rikenellaceae, and Helicobacteraceae, which were related to lipopolysaccharide biosynthesis, riboflavin metabolism, and peroxisome, respectively. It could also upregulate the abundance of Bacteroidaceae, which contributed to the metabolism of starch and sucrose as well as pentose-glucuronate interconversions. In the species level, SL decoction significantly upregulates the relative abundance of Bacteroides_acidifaciens which showed a significant negative correlation with FBG and was reported to be a potential agent for modulating metabolic disorders such as diabetes and obesity. In conclusion, SL decoction was effective in hypoglycemia and its mechanism may be related to regulating gut microbiota via upregulating Bacteroides_acidifaciens.

Penthorum chinense Pursh improves type 2 diabetes mellitus via modulating gut microbiota in db/db mice

“…This was contrary to the results of previous studies, which overwhelmingly concluded that individuals with T2DM should have lower intestinal ora diversity than normal individuals [49]. Further analysis revealed that the results of Sun's study were in agreement with ours, that db/db mice had higher α diversity of gut microbiota than db/m mice, and the experimental animals for both studies were from the same institution [50]. Therefore, we hypothesized that the results above may be related to the breeding environment and individual differences of animals.…”

Folic acid ameliorates alcohol-induced liver injury via gut–liver axis homeostasis

“…Similar results have been observed in population studies, and a significant increase was found in the relative abundance of Prevotellaceae in microbiota of patients with alcohol-use disorders compared with healthy individuals ( 58 ). Another study pointed out that LPS biosynthesis may be associated with Prevotellaceae abundance ( 59 ). A previous studies on NAFLD showed an increased relative abundance of intestinal microbial pathogenic bacteria in mice, including Ileibacterium , Turicibacter , and Faecalibaculum ( 60 ).…”

mNFE: Microbiome network flow entropy for detecting pre-disease states of type 1 diabetes

“…6A). Previously, Bacteroides acidifaciens was reported to be a potential agent for modulating metabolic disorders such as diabetes and obesity [42]. At the taxonomic level, the abundances of some highfrequency species, such as Bacteroides acidifaciens and Bacteroides ovatus, are closely related to the clinically important metadata of T1D, which validates the effectiveness of mNFE in identifying the DNBs.…”