Dietary fiber konjac glucomannan exerts an antidiabetic effect via inhibiting lipid absorption and regulation of PPAR-γ and gut microbiome.

Konjac glucomannan's influence on the regulation of diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia, and gut microbial flora was evaluated in this study. In addition, a high-fat diet and streptozotocin were used to induce type 2 diabetes mellitus in rats. At the end of the study, we analyzed various parameters such as body weight, plasma lipid profile, insulin levels by immunohistochemistry, degree of fibrosis in the liver, protein expression of PPAR-γ and p-SREBP-1C and gut microbial changes using 16S rRNA sequencing. The results of our study suggest that KGM supplementation significantly reduced the plasma lipid profile (TC, TG, VLDL, LDL, etc.). In addition, KGM has improved insulin levels, which were visualized using immunohistochemistry. Furthermore, KGM also regulated the protein expression of key regulatory proteins of lipid metabolism PPAR-γ and p-SREBP-1C (Group 3). Similar results were seen in the groups treated with the standard drug rosiglitazone (group 4). Finally, the 16S rRNA sequencing shows that KGM contributes to gut microbiota composition alterations, and it was observed using the Simpson, Shannon, Chao-1, and actual otus indices (group 3). KGM further alters the production of beneficial SCFAs and helps host good health. Furthermore, several metabolic pathways have been activated in T2DM rats. As a result, it becomes apparent that the digestive system's microbiome will play a role in T2DM. KGM has various health advantages but is particularly useful in treating hyperlipidemia and diabetes.

Protective effects of Ficus carica leaves on glucose and lipids levels, carbohydrate metabolism enzymes and ß-cells in type 2 diabetic rats.

CONTEXT: The decoctions of Ficus carica Linn. (Moraceae) leaves are used in the folklore treatment of diabetes. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of F. carica on glucose and lipids levels, carbohydrate metabolism enzymes and ß-cells protective effects in type 2 diabetes. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Diabetes was induced in 15 days high-fat diet (HFD)-fed Wistar rats by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (STZ) (40 mg/kg). The ethyl acetate extract (250 and 500 mg/kg) of F. carica leaves was administered for 28 days. Oral glucose tolerance (OGTT) and intraperitoneal insulin tolerance tests (ITT) were evaluated on 15th and 25th days, respectively. RESULTS: The ethyl acetate extract (250 and 500 mg/kg) of n F. carica leaves showed significant effect (p < 0.005) in the levels of blood glucose, total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), body weight and hepatic glycogen. In OGTT, F. carica (250 and 500 mg/kg) significantly (p < 0.005) detained the increase in blood glucose levels at 60 and 120 min and in ITT, F. carica enhanced the glucose utilization significantly (p < 0.005) over 30 and 60 min compared to diabetic control. Further, the altered activities of key carbohydrate metabolizing enzymes such as glucose-6-phosphatase, fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase and hexokinase in the liver tissue of diabetic rats were significantly (p < 0.005) reverted to near normal levels upon treatment with F. carica. Immumohistochemical studies of islets substantiated the cytoprotective effect on pancreatic ß-cells. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: F. carica leaves exerted significant effect on carbohydrate metabolism enzymes with promising hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic activities in type 2 diabetic rats.

Effect of Biophytum sensitivum on streptozotocin and nicotinamide-induced diabetic rats

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effect of aqueous solution of Biophytum sensitivum leaf extract (BSEt) on normal and streptozotocin (STZ)-nicotinamide-induced diabetic rats.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Diabetes was induced in adult male Wistar rats by the administration of STZ-nicotinamide (40, 110 mg/kg b.w., respectively) intraperitoneally. BSEt (200 mg/kg) was administered to diabetic rats for 28 days. The effect of extract on blood glucose, plasma insulin, total haemoglobin, glycosylated haemoglobin, liver glycogen and carbohydrate metabolism regulating enzymes of liver was studied in diabetic rats.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>BSEt significantly reduced the blood glucose and glycosylated haemoglobin levels and significantly increased the total haemoglobin, plasma insulin and liver glycogen levels in diabetic rats. It also increased the hexokinase activity and decreased glucose-6-phosphatase, fructose-1, 6-bisphosphatase activities in diabetic rats.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The results of our study suggest that BSEt possesses a promising effect on STZ-nicotinamide-induced diabetes.</p>