Evaluation of hypoglycemic therapeutics and nutritional supplementation for type 2 diabetes mellitus management: An insight on molecular approaches

Effects of Satureja Khuzestanica supplementation on glycemic indices and lipid profile in type 2 diabetes patients: a randomized controlled clinical-trial

BACKGROUND

Several studies showed the hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic effects of Satureja Khuzestanica (SK) in animal models. This study aimed to determine the effect of SK supplementation on glycemic and lipid outcomes of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

METHODS

The study was designed as a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial using block randomization. Seventy-eight T2DM patients were randomly assigned to intervention (n = 39) or placebo (n = 39) groups. They received SK or placebo in 500 mg capsules daily for 12 weeks. Anthropometric, blood pressure, liver enzymes, glycemic, and lipid outcomes were measured before and after the intervention.

RESULTS

At baseline, there were no significant differences in age, sex, or glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels between the groups. SK supplementation led to a significant decrease in FBS (-12.6 ± 20.7 mg/dl in the intervention group versus 3.5 ± 31.9 mg/dl; p = 0.007), HbA1c (-0.28 ± 0.45 in the intervention group versus 0.11 ± 0.54% in the placebo group; p = < 0.001), insulin (-1.65 ± 6.18 in the intervention group versus 2.09 ± 5.90 mIU/L in the placebo group; p = 0.03), total cholesterol (-14.6 ± 21.1 mg/dl in the intervention group versus 8.2 ± 30.9 mg/dl in the placebo group; p < 0.001), LDL-cholesterol (-4.6 ± 15.2 mg/dl in the intervention group versus 5.8 ± 14.6 mg/dl in placebo group; p < 0.001) levels, and significant increase in HDL-cholesterol (3.9 ± 4.9 mg/dl in the intervention group versus 0.9 ± 5.2 mg/dl in placebo group; p = 0.005).

CONCLUSION

Based on the study results, SK supplementation may improve glycemic indices and lipid profile of patients with T2DM. Our findings may provide novel complementary treatments without adverse effects for diabetes complications. These results need to be further confirmed in clinical trials.

REGISTRATION

This trial has been registered in the Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials (IRCT ID: IRCT20190715044214N1, registration date: 21/02/2021).

Corn stigma ameliorates hyperglycemia in zebrafish and GK rats of type 2 diabetes

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Cornstigma (CS), derived from the stigma and style of gramineous plant Zeamays. The medicinal use of CS can be traced back to DianNanMateriaMedica. LingnanMedicinalPlantsCompendium records its effectiveness in ameliorating diabetes. Diabetes is a metabolic disorder characterized by hyperglycemia and the consequent chronic complications of kidney, heart, brain and other organs, which pose a significant threat to human health. CS has shown great potential in relieving hyperglycemia associated with diabetes. However, the mechanism of CS in treating diabetes remains unclear.

AIM OF THE STUDY

To explore the pathogenesis of diabetes and the mechanism of CS improving hyperglycemia in diabetes.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We measured apigenin and luteolin contents in CS by UPLC/MS/MS method. Selecting Wistar rats as normal group, and GK rats as model group. For rats, we detected glucose and lipid metabolism indicators, including GHb, AST, ALT, U-Glu, UA, U-TP, U-ALB, and ACR after treatment. For zebrafish, we utilized alloxan and sucrose to establish the diabetes model. Measuring zebrafish blood glucose is employed to evaluate the hypoglycemic capability of CS. In order to explore the mechanism of CS in treating diabetes, we sequenced the transcriptome of zebrafish, compared differentially expressed genes of normal, diabetic, and CS-treated group, and validated multiple enrichment pathways by PCR.

RESULTS

CS can improve blood glucose levels in both GK rats and diabetic zebrafish. For rats, CS partially restored glucose and lipid metabolism indicators. Transcriptome data from zebrafish showed a close correlation with steroid biosynthesis. The RNA-Sequencing was consistent with PCR results, indicating that CS downregulated gene (fdft1,lss,cyp51) expression concerned with steroid biosynthesis pathway in the diabetes model.

CONCLUSION

CS effectively improved blood glucose levels, regulated glucose and lipid metabolism by suppressing gene expression in steroid biosynthesis pathway, and ameliorated hyperglycemia. Our research provides valuable insights for CS in the treatment of diabetes, and proposes a new strategy for selecting clinical medications for diabetes.

Apigenin analogs as α-glucosidase inhibitors with antidiabetic activity

This study investigated the inhibitory potential of a series of synthesized compounds (L1-L27) on α-glucosidase. Among them, compound L22 showed significant inhibitory effect. Through enzymatic kinetics studies, we demonstrated that L22 acts via a non-competitive inhibition mode with a Ki value of 2.61 μM, highlighting its high affinity for the enzyme. Molecular docking studies revealed the formation of hydrogen bonds between L22 and α-glucosidase and diverse interactions with neighboring amino acid residues. Furthermore, molecular dynamics simulations confirmed the stability of the L22-α-glucosidase complex. In a mouse model of type 2 diabetes, treatment with L22 significantly lowered fasting blood glucose levels, and reduced insulin resistance, suggesting its potential as a therapeutic agent for type 2 diabetes. Furthermore, L22 showed a protective effect against oxidative stress in the liver and alleviated liver and pancreatic abnormalities. These results provide valuable insights into the mechanism of action of L22 and its potential applications to treat type 2 diabetes, and improve liver health.

Phytosterols in rice bran and their health benefits

With the continuous technological innovation in the high-value utilization of rice bran byproducts, rice bran oil retains a higher concentration of beneficial components such as a well-balanced composition of fatty acids and abundant phytosterols. This makes it a highly nutritious and healthy vegetable oil. This review provides an overview of the advancements made in separating, purifying, and processing phytosterols in rice bran oil. The review also introduces techniques for assessing the stability of rice bran oil. Moreover, the review emphasizes the nutritional value of phytosterols found in rice bran oil, highlighting their various health benefits, including their anticancer, anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic, antibacterial, cholesterol-lowering, skin-protective, anti-obesity, anti-diabetic, neuroprotective, gastroprotective, and immune-enhancing effects. Attaining a comprehensive understanding of the research progress made in phytosterols derived from rice bran oil can offer valuable guidance for the efficient utilization of rice bran.

Positive interactions among Corynebacterium glutamicum and keystone bacteria producing SCFAs benefited T2D mice to rebuild gut eubiosis

Accumulating evidences strongly support the correlations between the compositions of gut microbiome and therapeutic effects on Type 2 diabetes (T2D). Notably, gut microbes such as Akkermansia muciniphila are found able to regulate microecological balance and alleviate dysmetabolism of mice bearing T2D. In order to search out similarly functional bacteria, bacteriophage MS2 with a good specificity to bacteria carrying fertility (F) factor were used to treat T2D mice. Based on multi-omics analysis of microbiome and global metabolism of mice, we observed that gavage of bacteriophage MS2 and metformin led to a significant increase in the abundance of Corynebacterium glutamicum and A. muciniphila, respectively. Consequently, the gut microbiota were remodeled, leading to variations in metabolites and a substantial increase in short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs). In which, the amount of acetate, propionate, and butyrate presented negative correlations to that of proinflammatory cytokines, which was beneficial to repairing the intestinal barriers and improving their functions. Moreover, main short fatty acid (SCFA) producers exhibited positive interactions, further facilitating the restoration of gut eubiosis. These findings revealed that C. glutamicum and its metabolites may be potential dietary supplements for the treatment of T2D. Moreover, our research contributes to a novel understanding of the underlying mechanism by which functional foods exert their anti-diabetic effects.

The therapeutic mechanism of Yuye decoction on type 2 diabetes mellitus based on network pharmacology and experimental verification

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Yuye decoction (YYD) has been widely used as a folk Chinese herbal formula in clinical treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM) for many years. However, its mechanism is still unclear.

AIM OF THE STUDY

The aim of this study was to explore the potential mechanism of YYD against T2DM initially by UHPLC-MS/MS combining with network pharmacology, molecular docking techniques and experimental validation.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The main ingredients in the water extract of YYD were initially identified using UHPLC-MS/MS analysis. Combined with network pharmacology and molecular docking techniques, the YYD key compounds-core targets-key signaling pathways network was constructed and the binding activity of key components to core targets was validated. The T2DM rat model was induced by Streptozotocin combined with high glucose and high fat diets. The apoptosis cell model of mouse islet β-cell of Min6 was induced by high-glucose and palmitic acid. Histopathological and immunofluorescence satining were used to evaluate pancreatic islet β-cell function and apoptosis in rats. Min6 cell viability and apoptosis ratio were evaluated by CCK-8 and TUNEL staining. The predicted targets and pathways were validated by experiments in vitro and in vivo.

RESULTS

The 56 compounds from YYD were identified by UHPLC-MS/MS. The potential targets of the above compounds were predicted by online compound target database, among of which 362 targets were associated with T2DM. Protein-protein interaction analysis identified the main targets such as SRC, MAPK1, PIK3R1, AKT1, HRAS and HSP90AA1, which were considered as the therapeutic targets of YYD on against T2DM. Functional enrichment analysis revealed that PI3K/AKT, FoxO and apoptosis signaling pathways were significantly enriched. Molecular docking results showed that compounds of monolinolein, neomangiferin, mangiferin, pelargonidin-3-O-glucoside and acacetin from YYD had high binding activities to PIK3R1, AKT1, Sirt1 and FoxO1. Therefore, PI3K/AKT1, Sirt1/FoxO1 and apoptotic signaling pathways were considered as predicted targets for experimental validation study. Animal experiments showed that YYD reduced blood glucose levels, improved pancreatic dysfunction and pancreatic islet β-cells apoptosis in T2DM rats which contributed to the activation of AKT1 and FoxO1 and their related signaling molecules. These results were confirmed in Min6 cell model induced by high-glucose and palmitic acid.

CONCLUSIONS

In summary, this study systematically visualized the possible therapeutic effects and mechanisms of YYD on T2DM through the network pharmacology approach and experimental study. The results indicated that YYD could prevent pancreatic islet dysfunction and reverse islet of β-cells apoptosis possibly via PI3K/AKT1, Sirt1/FoxO1 signaling pathways.

Compound dietary fiber and high-grade protein diet improves glycemic control and ameliorates diabetes and its comorbidities through remodeling the gut microbiota in mice

Dietary intervention with a low glycemic index and full nutritional support is emerging as an effective strategy for diabetes management. Here, we found that the treatment of a novel compound dietary fiber and high-grade protein diet (CFP) improved glycemic control and insulin resistance in streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice, with a similar effect to liraglutide. In addition, CFP treatment ameliorated diabetes-related metabolic syndromes, such as hyperlipidemia, hepatic lipid accumulation and adipogenesis, systemic inflammation, and diabetes-related kidney damage. These results were greatly associated with enhanced gut barrier function and altered gut microbiota composition and function, especially those bacteria, microbial functions, and metabolites related to amino acid metabolism. Importantly, no adverse effect of CFP was found in our study, and CFP exerted a wider arrange of protection against diabetes than liraglutide. Thereby, fortification with balanced dietary fiber and high-grade protein, like CFP, might be an effective strategy for the management and treatment of diabetes.