Background: The treatment of diabetes with plant ingredients such as in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is an alternative to classical chemotherapy.
Objective: This study aims to explore the hypoglycemic effect of Trichosanthes pericarpium powder (TP) and intestinal bacteria transplantation in type 2 diabetic mice. The relationship between intestinal bacteria transplantation and improvement in insulin resistance was also investigated.
Methods: The polyphenols and terpenoids in the TP were identified by LC-MS/MS. Streptozotocin was used to induce a mouse model of type 2 diabetes. Diabetic mice were treated with different doses of TP and the intestinal bacteria obtained from the high-dose TP group for four weeks.
Results: As a result, FBG levels were found to be significantly reduced in diabetic mice, weight gain and organ enlargement were alleviated, and insulin resistance was significantly improved. TP administration also improved the disorder in intestinal bacteria in diabetic mice. Besides, TP can increase the liver AMPK, SIRT1, GLUT1, and GLUT4 gene expression, while down-regulated PEPCK and G6Pase gene expression suggest a potential mechanism for hypoglycemia in diabetic mice.
Conclusion: Oral administration of Trichosanthes pericarpium powder in the treatment of diabetes may be achieved by restoring hepatic function, improving insulin resistance, and the dynamic balance of intestinal bacteria.
Keywords: Trichosanthes pericarpium; AMPK/SIRT1 pathway; Type 2 diabetes; hypoglycemic; insulin resistance; intestinal bacteria.
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