Diaphragma juglandis extracts modifies the gut microbiota during prevention of type 2 diabetes in rats

Ethnopharmacological relevance: The diaphragma juglandis (DJ) comes from the wooden septum in the core of Juglans regia L, also known as the walnut septum. In Iranian traditional medicine, walnut distraction wood was widely used in the treatment of diabetes. However, there is a lack of research data on the mechanism of DJ against diabetes. Aim of the study: To explore the protective effect of diaphragma juglandis extract (DJE) on type 2 diabetic rats and the hypoglycemic mechanism of DJE. Material and methods: Supplemented DJE and fed a high-fat diet for five weeks, and then injected low-dose STZ, successfully induced type 2 diabetic rats. Collected rat serum, liver, pancreas and feces to determine the biochemical parameters of serum and liver, analyze the pathological damages of pancreas and liver, and measure the changes of gut microbes in feces. Results: DJE could inhibit the metabolic abnormalities of T2DM by improving insulin resistance, abnormal lipid metabolism, liver damage, oxidative stress, and reducing inflammation. DJE significantly held fasting blood glucose, glycosylated serum protein, serum low density lipoprotein, high density lipoprotein, oral glucose tolerance test, nitric oxide, superoxide dismutase and catalase, serum and liver triglycerides, total cholesterol, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, malondialdehyde, lipopolysaccharide, fasting insulin and tumor necrosis factor-alpha and prevented the pathological damage of pancreas and liver. The 16SrRNA gene sequencing results showed that DJE intercepted the disorders of the fecal gut microbes, mainly including Lactobacillaceae, Rikenella, Pygmaiobacter, Oscillospiraceae and Klebsiella. Spearman correlation analysis showed that the changes of gut microbes were closely relative with biochemical parameters. Conclusion: DJE might prevent type 2 diabetes and its complications and hold up the disorders of gut microbes.

Automated summary

The study found that diaphragma juglandis extract could improve metabolic abnormalities in type 2 diabetic rats, including insulin resistance, abnormal lipid metabolism, liver damage, oxidative stress, and reduce inflammation. It also prevented the pathological damage of pancreas and liver, and intercepted the disorders of gut microbes.