New Insights of Anti-Hyperglycemic Agents and Traditional Chinese Medicine on Gut Microbiota in Type 2 Diabetes

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a widespread metabolic disease characterized by chronic hyperglycemia. Human microbiota, which is regarded as a hidden organ, plays an important role in the initiation and development of T2DM. In addition, anti hyperglycemic agents and traditional Chinese medicine may affect the composition of gut microbiota and consequently improve glucose metabolism. However, the relationship between gut microbiota, T2DM and anti-hyperglycemic agents or traditional Chinese medicine is poorly understood. In this review, we summarized pre-clinical and clinical studies to elucidate the possible underlying mechanism. Some anti-hyperglycemic agents and traditional Chinese medicine may partly exert hypoglycemic effects by altering the gut microbiota composition in ways that reduce metabolic endotoxemia, maintain the integrity of intestinal mucosal barrier, promote the production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), decrease trimethylamine-N-oxide (TMAO) and regulate bile acid metabolism. In conclusion, gut micro biota may provide some new therapeutic targets for treatment of patients with diabetes mellitus.

Automated summary

Type 2 diabetes mellitus is a common metabolic disease characterized by chronic hyperglycemia, in which the gut microbiota plays a significant role. Some anti-hyperglycemic agents and traditional Chinese medicine may improve glucose metabolism by altering the gut microbiota composition, potentially providing new therapeutic targets for diabetes treatment.