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Review
. 2024 Nov 18;16(22):3935.
doi: 10.3390/nu16223935.

Managing Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus via the Regulation of Gut Microbiota: A Chinese Medicine Perspective

Chester Yan Jie Ng  1 , Linda Zhong  1 , Han Seong Ng  2   3 , Kia Seng Goh  3   4 , Yan Zhao  1   3
Affiliations
Review

Managing Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus via the Regulation of Gut Microbiota: A Chinese Medicine Perspective

Chester Yan Jie Ng et al. Nutrients. .

Abstract

Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) is a metabolic disorder characterized by insulin resistance and inadequate insulin production. Given the increased frequency of T2DM and the health issues it can cause, there is an increasing need to develop alternative T2DM management strategies. One such approach is Chinese Medicine (CM), a complementary therapy widely used in T2DM treatment. Given the emphasis on gut microbiota in current research, studying CM in the treatment of T2DM via gut microbiota modulation could be beneficial. Scope and approach: The use of various CM methods for managing T2DM via gut microbiota modulation is highlighted in this review. Following an introduction of the gut microbiota and its role in T2DM pathogenesis, we will review the potential interactions between gut microbiota and T2DM. Thereafter, we will review various CM treatment modalities that modulate gut microbiota and provide perspectives for future research. Key findings and discussion: In T2DM, Akkermansia, Bifidobacterium, and Firmicutes are examples of gut microbiota commonly imbalanced. Studies have shown that CM therapies can modulate gut microbiota, leading to beneficial effects such as reduced inflammation, improved metabolism, and improved immunity. Among these treatment modalities, Chinese Herbal Medicine and acupuncture are the most well-studied, and several in vivo studies have demonstrated their potential in managing T2DM by modulating gut microbiota. However, the underlying biomolecular mechanisms of actions are not well elucidated, which is a key area for future research. Future studies could also investigate alternate CM therapies such as moxibustion and CM exercises and conduct large-scale clinical trials to validate their effectiveness in treatment.

Keywords: Chinese medicine; T2DM; gut microbiome; gut microbiota; type 2 diabetes mellitus.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Summary of potential interactions between the gut microbiota and T2DM.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Potential mechanisms of action of various CM therapies on the modulation of gut microbiota to improve T2DM.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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