Spirulina compounds show hypoglycemic activity and intestinal flora regulation in type 2 diabetes mellitus mice br

Spirulina powder, Chlorella powder and Grifola frondosa total active components (1:1:1) were mixed and then administered to type 2 diabetic mellitus (T2DM) mice. Through an analysis of biochemical indicators, intestinal contents, and protein expression levels of T2DM mice, we found that Spirulina compounds can regulate the PI3K/ AKT-1 pathway to improve disorders of glucose metabolism. Spirulina compounds can increase the abundance of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs)-producing bacteria, such as Lactobacillus and Weissella, reduce the abundance of SCFAs-inhibiting bacteria and maintain the steady state of intestinal flora by adjusting the flora structure, thereby increasing the production of SCFAs. At the same time, these compounds improved the fasting blood glucose level, pancreatic islet function, and inflammation of T2DM mice. These results indicate that the com-pounds can improve the symptoms of type 2 diabetes mellitus by regulating the intestinal flora and increasing the content of SCFAs. Collectively, these results show that the compounds have the potential to become a functional food for improving type 2 diabetes mellitus.