Key Takeaways & Executive Findings
- •• Lycium barbarum polysaccharide (LBP) improves lipid profiles and inhibits weight loss in type 2 diabetic rats. • LBP reduces inflammation and insulin resistance by modulating key cytokines and hormones. • LBP reshapes gut microbiota composition, increasing beneficial bacteria and decreasing harmful ones. • LBP elevates short-chain fatty acid levels, with specific bacteria linked to butyrate and isobutyrate production.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Lycium barbarum polysaccharide is a natural active ingredient with potential to lower blood glucose and improve diabetes-related symptoms. However, from the perspective of gut microbiota, the underlying factors for the effects of Lycium barbarum polysaccharide on glycolipid abnormalities have not been fully elucidated. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of Lycium barbarum polysaccharide on type 2 diabetes mellitus and its related mechanism. METHODS: Six male Sprague-Dawley rats aged 8 weeks were randomly selected from 18 rats to form a blank control group. The remaining 12 rats were fed a high-sugar, high-fat diet for 8 weeks and then received a single tail vein injection of 1% streptozotocin to establish a type 2 diabetes model. After successful modeling, the rat models were then randomly divided into a model control group (n=6) and a Lycium barbarum polysaccharide group (n=6). Rats in the Lycium barbarum polysaccharide group were administered Lycium barbarum polysaccharide solution via gavage at a dose of 200 mg/(kg·d), 2 mL per dose, once daily, for 12 consecutive weeks. After the intervention, rat serum and feces were collected. 16S rDNA sequencing was used to analyze gut microbiota, and alpha diversity, beta diversity, and principal component analysis were used to characterize microbial abundance and structure. Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry was used to detect short-chain fatty acid levels. ELISA was used to detect glycolipid metabolism, insulin resistance, and inflammatory response indicators. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Compared with the model control group, the Lycium barbarum polysaccharide group had increased high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels and decreased total cholesterol, triglyceride, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels, indicating that Lycium barbarum polysaccharide improved lipid accumulation and inhibited weight loss in type 2 diabetic rats. Compared with the model control group, the Lycium barbarum polysaccharide group had decreased levels of interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, and blood glucose, and increased levels of insulin and glucagon-like peptide-1, indicating that Lycium barbarum polysaccharide effectively inhibited inflammatory response and insulin resistance. Lycium barbarum polysaccharide significantly improved the composition of gut microbiota, increasing the abundance of Lachnospiraceae_NK4A136_group, Clostridia_UCG-014_unclassified, Monoglobus, Phascolarctobacterium, Candidatus_Saccharimonas, Desulfovibrionaceae unclassified, and Desulfovibrio, and decreasing the abundance of Muribaculaceae_unclassified and Enterorhabdus. Lycium barbarum polysaccharide also significantly increased short-chain fatty acid levels, and Clostridia_UCG-014_unclassified, Candidatus_Saccharimonas, and Muribaculaceae_unclassified may participate in regulating butyric acid production to improve glycolipid metabolism in type 2 diabetic rats. Lachnospiraceae_NK4A136_group, Monoglobus, and Desulfovibrionaceae unclassified may participate in regulating isobutyric acid production to inhibit insulin resistance and improve lipid metabolism. Lycium barbarum polysaccharide can improve the inflammatory response in type 2 diabetic rats by increasing the abundance of Firmicutes_unclassified, Clostridia_UCG-014_unclassified, Intestinimona, and Colidextribacter, and inhibiting the abundance of Kineothrix.
1. Introduction
Gut microbiota is a crucial factor in maintaining human health, and preserving the symbiotic relationship between the host and gut microbiota is essential. Many chronic diseases are associated with gut microecological disorders [1]. Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is one of the most common metabolic diseases worldwide. To date, T2DM remains incurable, and interventions mainly focus on glycemic control and prevention of related complications. Gut microbiota plays a significant role in the development and progression of metabolic diseases, especially T2DM [2].
In recent years, there have been increasing reports on the health benefits of Lycium barbarum polysaccharide (LBP), such as antioxidant, lipid-lowering, hypoglycemic, anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, and neuroprotective effects [3]. Many recent studies have shown that LBP can improve T2DM through various pathways. However, from the perspective of gut microbiota, the underlying mechanisms by which LBP alleviates diabetes have not been fully elucidated. Therefore, this study aims to explore the role of LBP in the treatment of T2DM from the frontier perspective of gut microbiota, potentially unlocking new strategies for diabetes prevention and treatment.
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Wang Jingfeng, Feng Shuo, Cao Xuan, Li Xiaolin (2026). Lycium barbarum polysaccharide-mediated intestinal flora remodeling improves glycolipid abnormalities in type 2 diabetic rats. Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research. https://doi.org/10.12307/2026.21403
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the effect of Lycium barbarum polysaccharide on lipid profiles in type 2 diabetic rats?
Lycium barbarum polysaccharide significantly increased high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels and decreased total cholesterol, triglyceride, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels, indicating improved lipid metabolism and reduced lipid accumulation.
How does Lycium barbarum polysaccharide influence inflammation and insulin resistance?
LBP reduced levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines (interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-alpha) and blood glucose, while increasing insulin and glucagon-like peptide-1 levels, thereby suppressing inflammation and insulin resistance.
What changes in gut microbiota are induced by Lycium barbarum polysaccharide?
LBP altered gut microbiota composition by increasing beneficial bacteria such as Lachnospiraceae_NK4A136_group, Clostridia_UCG-014_unclassified, and Monoglobus, while decreasing harmful bacteria like Muribaculaceae_unclassified and Enterorhabdus.
How does Lycium barbarum polysaccharide affect short-chain fatty acid production?
LBP significantly increased total short-chain fatty acid levels, particularly butyrate and isobutyrate, with specific bacterial taxa (e.g., Clostridia_UCG-014_unclassified, Lachnospiraceae_NK4A136_group) potentially mediating these effects.
What is the significance of this study for type 2 diabetes management?
This study provides evidence that LBP can improve glycolipid metabolism and inflammation in T2DM through modulation of gut microbiota and short-chain fatty acids, suggesting LBP as a potential dietary intervention for diabetes management.
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