Characterization of Polysaccharides from Lycium ruthenicum Murray and its Regulatory Effect on the Intestinal Flora of T2DM Mice

Abstract

Lycium barbarum polysaccharides (LBP), primary active components in the fruits of Lycium barbarum Murray, are effective bioactive compounds in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Microbiota, as the second genome, has been reported to be involved in the development of T2DM. Therefore, mechanisms of regulating the gut microbiota also involve its intestinal metabolites that might exist. This study examined the hypoglycemic effect and improvement of gut microbiota of LBP on T2DM mice for further investigation of potential mechanisms. Compared with the DM group, the LBP could not only increase the production of short chain fatty acids, especially the content of acetic acid, but also the community richness and diversity of the gut microbiota. In addition, the relative abundances of Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes was improved in the LBP group compared with the DM group, accompanied with decreased relative abundances of Verrucomicrobia and Actinobacteria at the phylum level. Additionally, at the family level, the relative abundances of Lactobacillales and Bifidobacteriales in the DM group sharply increased and was significantly reduced in the LBP group. These effects may be attributed to its monosaccharides components (arabinose, galactose, glucose, galacturonic acid), suggesting LBP as a potential T2DM intervention via gut microbiota regulation.