Corn silk extract alleviate type 1 diabetes via regulating gut microbiota and inflammation

• DOI: 10.1016/j.jff.2023.105969
• Publication Date: 2024-01-04T19:21:20Z
• Authors: Bing Yang; Dandan Zhu; Yaping Chen; Yan Xu; Yanjun Yang; Jingqi Zeng; Liang Ye; Miao He; Xiaobin Jia; Liang Feng
• Keywords: 0301 basic medicine; Short-chain fatty acids; 03 medical and health sciences; Type 1 diabetes; G protein-coupled receptors; Nutrition. Foods and food supply; Corn silk; TX341-641; Gut microbiota

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is a metabolic disease commonly affecting adolescents and causing various health complications. Corn silk (CS), a traditional Chinese medicine with medicinal and edible properties, has been extensively researched for its anti-diabetes and anti-inflammatory effects. This study aimed to investigate the hypoglycemic effect of CS extract on T1D mice by modulating the composition of gut microbiota. The results demonstrated that CS extract had a significant therapeutic effect on STZ-induced T1D by reducing the fasting blood glucose (FBG) levels and pancreas injury. Moreover, CS extract was found to modify the gut microbiota by altering the abundance of Firmicutes, Actinobacteria, Desulfobacterota, and Proteobacteria, which subsequently influenced the production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs). These SCFAs then mediated the expression of G protein-coupled receptor 41 (GPR41), interleukin-10 (IL-10), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), ultimately resulting in a reduction in the inflammatory response.