Effects of Cichorium glandulosum on hyperglycemia, dyslipidemia and intestinal flora in db/db mice

Abstract

• Study on the hypoglycemic and lipid-lowering effects of Chicory on db/db mice. • Effect of Chicory on db/db intestinal flora. • Relationship between intestinal flora and insulin resistance, short chain fatty acids. This study aimed to investigate the effects of Cichorum glandulosum Boiss. et Huet. whole herb extract (CG) on hypoglycemic, lipidemic effects, and intestinal flora in db/db mice. The experimental results showed that CG orally administered to db/db mice had specific hypoglycemic activity. CG could effectively alleviate the lipid accumulation in liver tissues,improve the antioxidant capacity and thus liver injury in db/db mice. In addition, CG treatment can activate uncoupling protein ( UCP-1 ) and improve the dysbiosis in the intestine. These findings suggest that CG has particular hypoglycemic activity, can improve blood lipid and intestinal flora disorders in db/db mice, reduce Firmicutes/Bacteroide , by affecting the gut-fat axis, promote the process of white fat browning in db/db mice, thus reducing insulin resistance in the body, and can be used for the prevention and treatment of type 2 diabetes.