Abstract The hypoglycemic effect of bitter melon and its products has attracted widespread attention. However, the hypoglycemic mechanism of whole bitter melon beverage (WBMB) retaining all nutrients for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) remains unclear. The results of this study indicated that WBMB improved hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia, oxidative stress and inflammatory markers levels, alleviated liver and pancreas damage. Moreover, it down-regulated the expression of SRC, STAT3 and PIK3R1, and up-regulated the expression of AKT1 and PIK3CA in T2DM mice in a dose-dependent manner. Simultaneously, the composition and structure of the flora were changed by up-regulating Bacteroidetes, Akkermansia, Bifidobacteria, and down-regulating Dubosiella abundance. In addition, the WBMB normalizes serum metabolites associated with Protein digestion and absorption, aminoacyl-tRNA biosynthesis, Biosynthesis of amino acids, Central carbon metabolism in cancer, and ABC transporters. The key metabolites L-Lysine, L-Proline, L-Arginine, and p-Cresol were closely correlated with the differential characteristic bacteria and the characteristic indexes of T2DM. These results suggest that the hypoglycemic effect of the WBMB can be regulated by changes in intestinal flora and metabolites. WBMB can be a functional food with potential for prevention and treatment of T2DM.
Zhang et al. (Mon,) studied this question.