Phenolics‐Rich Extract From Agarwood ( <i>Aquilaria sinensis</i> ) Leaf‐Tea Alleviates Hyperglycemia in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Mice via Modulating Lipid Metabolism and Gut Microbiota

Agarwood (Aquilaria sinensis) leaves, as a popular substitute tea, have garneredsignificant interest due to their potential to alleviate metabolic disorders. Agarwood leaf-tea phenolic extract (ALE) has been proven to have an excellent hypoglycemic effect in vitro in our previous study. However, the alleviating effect of ALE on type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) mice still remains unclear. The present study explored the effects of ALE supplementation on metabolic function and intestinal microbiota composition in T2DM. Results revealed that ALE supplementation effectively improved the typical symptoms of diabetic mice, and significantly decreased the blood glucose, insulin resistance index, and lipid accumulation in diabetic mice. In addition, ALE supplementation alleviated oxidative stress, and repaired intestinal tissue inflammation in diabetic mice. Metabolomics analysis results indicated that ALE supplementation effectively improved metabolic pathways such as phospholipid metabolism, α-linolenic acid metabolism, and folate anabolism. Gut microbiota analysis results revealed that ALE supplementation altered gut microbiota composition, increased the levels of beneficial bacteria such as Bacteroides, Oscillospiraceae, Colidextribacter, and Lachnospiraceae, and decreased the levels of harmful bacteria such as Lactobacillus, Faecalibaculum, and Turicibacter. In summary, improvements in metabolic function and gut microbiota are associated with the antidiabetic potential of ALE.