Corn silk, Type 1 diabetes, Gut microbiota, Short-chain fatty acids, G protein-coupled receptors, Nutrition. Foods and food supply, TX341-641

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is a metabolic disease commonly affecting adolescents and causing various health complications. Corn silk (CS), a traditional Chinese medicine with medicinal and edible properties, has been extensively researched for its anti-diabetes and anti-inflammatory effects. This study aimed to investigate the hypoglycemic effect of CS extract on T1D mice by modulating the composition of gut microbiota. The results demonstrated that CS extract had a significant therapeutic effect on STZ-induced T1D by reducing the fasting blood glucose (FBG) levels and pancreas injury. Moreover, CS extract was found to modify the gut microbiota by altering the abundance of Firmicutes, Actinobacteria, Desulfobacterota, and Proteobacteria, which subsequently influenced the production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs). These SCFAs then mediated the expression of G protein-coupled receptor 41 (GPR41), interleukin-10 (IL-10), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), ultimately resulting in a reduction in the inflammatory response.