Camellia oil alleviates type 2 diabetes mellitus through modulating gut microbiota and metabolites

Abstract

The potential of camellia oil (CO) to alleviate type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) by modulating gut microbiota and metabolites was investigated. CO significantly reduced the fasting blood glucose (FBG) levels, improved glucose tolerance, and alleviated symptoms of polydipsia and polyphagia in db/db mice. Additionally, CO intervention increased gut microbiota richness and diversity and decreased the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes (F/B) ratio. CO also increased beneficial bacteria abundance, including Clostridium_sensu_stricto_1, Christensenellaceae_R-7_group, and Proteiniclasticum, which correlated with improved glucose tolerance. Conversely, CO decreased pathogenic bacteria abundance, including Rodentibacter and Vibrio, which were positively associated with FBG levels. Metabolomic analysis further revealed that CO increased feces lysophosphatidyl lipid LPG 16:1 and bile acid β-muricholic acid levels, both negatively associated with FBG levels. These findings underscore CO’s potential as a functional oil with hypoglycemic effects, highlighting its therapeutic value in managing T2DM via gut microbiota and metabolic pathway modulation.