Asperuloside Improves Obesity and Type 2 Diabetes through Modulation of Gut Microbiota and Metabolic Signaling

Summary Asperuloside (ASP) is an iridoid glycoside that is extracted from Eucommia leaves. Eucommia is used in traditional Chinese medicine and has a long history of benefits on health and longevity. Here, we investigated the impact of ASP on obesity-related metabolic disorders and show that ASP reduces body weight gain, glucose intolerance, and insulin resistance effectively in mice fed with a high-fat diet (HFD). Intestinal dysbiosis is closely linked with metabolic disorders. Our data indicate that ASP achieves these benefits on metabolic homeostasis by reversing HFD-induced gut dysbiosis and by changing gut-derived secondary metabolites and metabolic signaling. Our results indicate that ASP may be used to regulate gut microbiota for the treatment of obesity and type 2 diabetes.
Graphical Abstract
Highlights • Asperuloside (ASP) treatment improved obesity-related metabolic dysfunction in mice ASP administration changed intestinal metabolite via modulation of gut microbiota ASP administration increased Parabacteroides and Akkermansia in intestine Gut microbiota-derived metabolite improves adipose tissue and intestinal dysfunction
Human Metabolism; Microbiome