What question did this study set out to answer?

The study aims to explore puerarin's effects on glucose and lipid metabolism disorders in Type 2 diabetes.

February 19, 2026

Puerarin Improves Glucose and Lipid Metabolism in Type 2 Diabetes by Regulating Gut Microbiota Homeostasis and Promoting Adipose Tissue Thermogenesis

Key Points

The study aims to explore puerarin's effects on glucose and lipid metabolism disorders in Type 2 diabetes.
Used 16S rRNA gene sequencing and metabolomics to analyze gut microbiota.
Employed qRT-PCR and western blot to study PI3K/AKT/PPARγ signaling pathways.
Assessed changes in gut microbiota composition and fecal metabolites.
Puerarin promoted gut microbiota homeostasis and elevated butyrate levels.
Increased beneficial bacteria abundance and decreased harmful bacteria.
Enhanced brown adipose tissue activity and induced browning in white adipose tissue.
Improved mitochondrial biosynthesis, lipolysis, and glucose utilization.
Elevated GLP-1 secretion, enhancing insulin sensitivity.

Abstract

ABSTRACT Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is a chronic disease that seriously threatens human health. Puerarin, the primary bioactive component of Pueraria lobata , alleviates T2D through multiple mechanisms, including protection of pancreatic β‐cells, enhancement of insulin sensitivity, and antioxidant effects. However, its specific mechanisms of action against T2D remain incompletely understood. This study aimed to investigate the curative effects of puerarin in ameliorating glucose and lipid metabolism disorders in T2D mice by preserving gut microbiota homeostasis and promoting adipose tissue thermogenesis. To achieve this, 16S rRNA gene sequencing and metabolomics were employed to assess its effects on gut microbiota and fecal metabolites, while qRT‐PCR and western blot were conducted to evaluate its impact on the phosphatidylinositol 3‐kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (AKT)/peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor γ (PPARγ) signaling pathway. The results demonstrated that puerarin promoted gut microbiota homeostasis and elevated butyrate levels. Specifically, it increased the abundance of beneficial bacteria (Lactobacillaceae, Muribaculaceae, and Akkermansiaceae) and reduced the abundance of harmful bacteria (Desulfovibrionaceae, Marinifilaceae, and Helicobacteraceae). Moreover, puerarin enhanced brown adipose tissue (BAT) activity via the PI3K/AKT pathway and induced a browning phenotype in white adipose tissue (WAT) through the PPARγ pathway. These effects promoted mitochondrial biosynthesis, lipolysis, glucose utilization, and energy expenditure. Puerarin also increased glucagon‐like peptide‐1 (GLP‐1) secretion, thereby further improving insulin sensitivity. In conclusion, this study confirms that puerarin improves glucose and lipid metabolism disorders in T2D mice by regulating gut microbiota homeostasis and promoting adipose tissue thermogenesis, which holds considerable potential for the treatment of T2D.

AI से पूछें

Bookmark

View Full Paper