Ameliorative effect of peach gum on metabolic syndrome components and microbial short-chain fatty acids production in streptozotocin-induced rats

Abstract

Peach gum (PG) contains a large number of polysaccharides and has hypolipidemic and anti-diabetic properties. Peach gum, specifically, may increase short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), which modulate lipid, glucose, and insulin sensitivity and thus improve metabolic syndrome components (MetS). However, the mechanism remains unclear. This study aimed to reveal the effects of a whole PG intervention in ameliorating MetS conditions. Peach gum powder (PGP) was given in three dosages, comprised of PGP-L (210.64 mg), PGP-M (421.27 mg), and PGP-H (842.55 mg). Initially, PG was ground into powder (PGP). A total of five groups of Wistar rats were constituted. The healthy group was fed on a regular feeding (Comfeed AD II). MetS group was given a high-fat diet, a streptozotocin, and Nicotinamide injection. This study showed PGP significantly (p<0.001) ameliorate the condition of HDL-C (187.70%), triglycerides (TG) (-33.40%), fasting blood glucose (FBG) (-69.80%), insulin sensitivity (60.38%), also caecal SCFAs (p<0.05). It showed significant results of propionate and butyrate levels in the PHP-H group compared to the MetS group (p<0.05). The results indicated that PG has a significant hypolipidemic effect, particularly in improving HDL-C levels, as well as anti-diabetic effects in MetS-induced rats, which are supported by an increase in SCFAs. The improvement in MetS components (HDL, TG, FBG) has improved in all PGP groups.