Abstract:The effects of ethanol extracts obtained from Cichorium glandulosum on the intestinal microbiota of diabetic mice (db/db mice) were investigated. In this study, m/m mice served as the normal control group (CON group), while db/db mice were randomly divided into the model group (MOD group), metformin-treated group (MET group), lowdose ethanol extract-treated group (CGL group), and high-dose ethanol extract-treated group (CGH group). After intragastric administration of ethanol extracts from Cichorium glandulosum for eight weeks, the body weight, fasting blood glucose levels, liver total cholesterol (TC) levels, and liver triglyceride (TG) content in mice were analyzed. Additionally, 16S rRNA sequencing analysis was performed on fecal samples of mice to investigate the changes in their intestinal microbiota after the treatment. It was discovered that the high-dose ethanol extract can regulate the body weight and blood glucose levels of db/db mice and significantly reduce the levels of TC and TG in db/db mice (P<0.05). In the meantime, the 16S rRNA sequencing results showed noticeable differences in the intestinal microbiota among the CON, MOD, and CGH groups. The administration of ethanol extracts from Cichorium glandulosum improved the intestinal dysbiosis in db/db mice and upregulated the relative abundance of beneficial bacteria such as Bifidobacterium, Romboutsia, and Prevotella in the intestinal microbiota. This study has shown that the ethanol extract from Cichorium glandulosum can regulate the intestinal microbiota of db/db mice and regulate glucose and lipid metabolism by increasing the relative abundance of beneficial bacteria. This can provide new insights for the development and utilization of Cichorium glandulosum from Xinjiang as a medicinal resource.
