Capsaicin Improves The Hypoglycemic Effect of Metformin Benefitted From Gut Microbiota

Abstract

\n Background: Capsaicin(CAP) possesses a hypoglycemic activity through remodulating gut microbiota as well as the first-line oral hypoglycemic drug, metformin(MET). However, CAP on the hypoglycemic effect of MET pertinent to gut microbiota remained poorly known.Methods: The glucose and insulin tolerance of diabetic rats were monitored. The glycolipid metabolism were analyzed by detecting blood biochemical parameters. Liver pathological changes were observed by HE staining. The inflammatory cytokines and intestinal tight junction proteins were detected by RT-PCR and Western blot. 16S rRNA sequencing was employed to analyze gut microbiota.Results: Compared with MET monotherapy, CAP and MET co-treatment could significantly reduce fasting blood glucose, improve glucose tolerance, lessen the degree of liver injury and inflammatory infiltration, reduce the expression of inflammatory cytokines and increase the expression of intestinal tight junction proteins in diabetic rats. Moreover, CAP and MET co-treatment altered gut microbiota profiles by regulating microbial abundances such as Akkermansia.Conclusion: CAP showed significant hypoglycemic effect of MET benefitted from remodulating gut microbiota in diabetic rats.