Hyperglycemia symptom amelioration by Ascophyllum nodosum polysaccharides in mice with type 2 diabetes

Ascophyllum nodosum is a common brown seaweed (Phaeophyceae), that contains various biologically active compounds, such as polysaccharides, flavonoids, and proteins. In this study, we evaluated the hypoglycemic activity of A. nodosum polysaccharide (AnPs) in mice with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) induced by a high-sucrose/high-fat (HSHF) diet and streptozotocin. We then analyzed the components of the intestinal microbiota in T2DM mice using high throughput 16S rRNA gene sequencing. AnPs significantly ameliorated the body weight, fasting blood glucose (FBG), glycosylated serum protein (GSP), and oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) in mice with T2DM. In addition, AnPs significantly improved the serum and liver biochemical indicators and pancreatic function. Moreover, AnPs regulated the relative abundances of Lactobacillus and Parabacteroides and increased the contents of acetate acid, propionate acid, butyric acid, and other short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) in mice. In conclusion, AnPs ameliorated the symptoms of hyperglycemia in T2DM mice by improving the serum and liver biochemical indicators, as well as the pancreatic function index, regulating the relative abundance of intestinal microbiota and increasing the contents of SCFAs. These results suggest that AnPs may be a new potential therapy for the treatment of T2DM.