The antidiabetic effect and potential mechanisms of natural polysaccharides based on the regulation of gut microbiota

Abstract

Polysaccharides have been widely shown to suppress hyperglycemia, reverse insulin resistance and prevent diabetes complications. Therefore, polysaccharides intervention is considered as a promising option for management of diabetes. However, the underlying mechanisms responsible for antidiabetic activity of polysaccharides remain unclear. Currently, it has been reported that gut microbiota dysbiosis may impair systemic glucose metabolism and facilitate the appearance of diabetes. Polysaccharides intervention appears to modulate the composition of gut microbiota, which in turn enhances intestinal barrier integrity, maintains gut immune homeostasis, promotes the production of gut hormone and changes bile acids profiles, resulting in the improvement of diabetes. Thus, this review provides an overview of polysaccharides against diabetes based on gut microbiota alteration and wishes to stimulate further works on the relationships among polysaccharides, gut microbiota and diabetes.

Keywords

• Polysaccharides
• Diabetes
• Gut microbiota
• Intestinal metabolites
• Gut barrier
• Gut immunity