收藏切换
Modulating the gut microbiota: a multi-target mechanism of traditional Chinese medicine for type 2 diabetes management
收藏切换
PDF
Zhiping Ding, Qunfang Li, Zi Li, Xiuyang Li*
Chinese Journal of Natural Medicines | 2026, 24(8) : 897 - 911
Less
收藏切换
Chinese Journal of Natural Medicines | 2026, 24(8): 897-911
Review
Modulating the gut microbiota: a multi-target mechanism of traditional Chinese medicine for type 2 diabetes management
Full
Zhiping Ding, Qunfang Li, Zi Li, Xiuyang Li*
Affiliations
  • College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan 250335, China
Published: 2026-08-20 doi: 10.1016/S1875-5364(26)61200-9
Outline
收藏切换

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is fundamentally linked to gut microbiota dysbiosis, a condition that triggers a cascade of pathophysiological changes including aberrant host-microbe co-metabolism, compromised intestinal barrier integrity, and chronic low-grade inflammation, which collectively drive insulin resistance. While conventional therapies have limitations, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) presents a promising therapeutic strategy. This review comprehensively elucidates the pathophysiological link between gut dysbiosis and T2DM. It then systematically summarizes the multi-target mechanisms by which TCM exerts its therapeutic effects, including: remodeling the gut microbial ecosystem; reprogramming host-microbe co-metabolism of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), bile acids (BAs), and branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs); reinforcing the intestinal barrier to mitigate metabolic endotoxemia; and modulating key signaling pathways involved in inflammation and immunity, etc. Key clinical evidence is also summarized. Furthermore, the review critically evaluates the preclinical and clinical evidence supporting these mechanisms, highlighting both therapeutic potential and current challenges, such as the need for standardization. Finally, current limitations and future prospects are considered, proposing a path forward for integrating microbiota-targeted TCM therapies into the modern, evidence-based management of T2DM.

Traditional Chinese medicine  /  Gut microbiota  /  Type 2 diabetes mellitus  /  Therapeutic mechanisms
Zhiping Ding, Qunfang Li, Zi Li, Xiuyang Li. Modulating the gut microbiota: a multi-target mechanism of traditional Chinese medicine for type 2 diabetes management[J]. Chinese Journal of Natural Medicines, 2026 , 24 (8) : 897 -911 . DOI: 10.1016/S1875-5364(26)61200-9
  • Shandong Provincial Natural Science Foundation(ZR2020MH346)
  • National Natural Science Foundation of China(81273667)
Year 2026 volume 24 Issue 8
PDF
85
14
Cite this Article
BibTeX
Article Info
doi: 10.1016/S1875-5364(26)61200-9
  • Receive Date:2025-08-14
  • Online Date:2026-08-20
  • Published:2026-08-20
Article Data
Affiliations
History
  • Received:2025-08-14
  • Revised:2025-10-12
  • Accepted:2026-01-14
Funding
Shandong Provincial Natural Science Foundation(ZR2020MH346)
National Natural Science Foundation of China(81273667)
Affiliations
    College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan 250335, China

Corresponding:

*

E-mail address: (X. Li)
References
Share
https://castjournals.cast.org.cn/joweb/cjnm/EN/10.1016/S1875-5364(26)61200-9
Share to
QR

Scan QR to access full text

Cite this article
BibTeX
Citations
表12种不同金属材料的力学参数

Family
属数
Number of
genus
种数
Number of
species
占总种数比例
Percentage of
total species (%)

Genus
种数
Number of
species
占总种数比例
Percentage of total
species (%)
鹅膏菌科Amanitaceae 2 11 5.26 鹅膏菌属 Amanita 10 4.78
小菇科 Mycenaceae 2 12 5.74 丝盖伞属 Inocybe 5 2.39
多孔菌科 Polyporaceae 8 14 6.70 蜡蘑属 Laccaria 5 2.39
红菇科 Russulaceae 3 23 11.00 小皮伞属 Marasmius 6 2.87
小菇属 Mycena 11 5.26
光柄菇属 Pluteus 5 2.39
红菇属 Russula 17 8.13
栓菌属 Trametes 5 2.39
关闭全屏
  • BibTeX
  • EndNote
  • RefWorks
  • TxT