Activated carbon ameliorates type 2 diabetes via metabolic remodeling of the gut microbiota

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is a major public health concern worldwide and there has been increasing attention on the role of natural dietary drugs in diabetes therapy. However, the effects of these drugs on gut microbial composition, functional potentials and metabolisms remain unclear. Here, we conducted integrated 16S rRNA sequencing and metabolomic analyses in T2D GK rats and healthy Wistar rats that exposed to four natural dietary drugs (highly porous activated carbon, wheatgrass, dandelion and corn stigma). Oral administration of activated carbon and dandelion decreased the body weight gain in both high-fat diet (HFD) GK rats and Wistar rats. Significantly lower level of blood glucose was observed in GK rats with activated carbon intervention. A group of beneficial bacteria and metabolites were promoted, and the endotoxin-producing bacteria were inhibited by dietary drugs, especially for the activated carbon diet. Oral administration of activated carbon resulted in metabolic changes and anti-inflammatory effects that decreased both high-fat diet-induced obesity and diabetes. The beneficial effects of increased positive responders are related to improved carbohydrate and amino acid metabolism, regulated inflammatory mediators, with simultaneous reduction of detrimental compounds such as lipopolysaccharide (LPS) synthesis and modification of the gut microbiome. These findings highlight the effectiveness of natural dietary drugs, with a particular emphasis on activated carbon, and establish a foundation for tailoring the use of these drugs in T2D therapy.