The regulatory mechanism of natural polysaccharides in type 2 diabetes mellitus treatment
Surina Bo, Mu Dan, Wei Li, Chen Chen
Abstract
• Natural polysaccharides exhibit antidiabetic effects through mechanisms on cell signaling pathways. Polysaccharides could improve diabetes through three major actions. • Natural polysaccharides significantly ameliorate cellular insulin resistance by increasing glucose transport protein expression, glucose consumption and glycogen content, and by improving serum lipid parameters. • Natural polysaccharides protect β-cell function by inhibiting β-cell apoptosis, by activating the cellular glycolytic pathway and by stimulating cellular proliferation via signaling pathways. • Natural polysaccharides improve gut microbiome distribution and metabolites via the reduction of inflammation, intestinal permeability and glycolipid metabolism. Diabetes is a complex, multifactorial disease that is caused by a pathological combination of insulin resistance and pancreatic islet dysfunction. Polysaccharides are extensively dispersed in nature and have a very complicated structure with various biological properties. Natural polysaccharides have potentially extraordinary beneficial health effects on managing metabolic diseases such as diabetes, obesity and cardiovascular disease. Thus, a systematic review of the latest research into and possible regulatory mechanisms of natural polysaccharides for type 2 diabetes mellitus treatment is of great significance for a better understanding of their pharmaceutical value. We discuss the regulatory mechanisms of natural polysaccharides for the treatment of diabetes, and especially their role in reshaping dysfunctional gut microbiota. Natural polysaccharides could be developed as new and safe antidiabetic drugs, and detailed mechanistic studies could further clarify the molecular targets of polysaccharides in the treatment of diabetes.