Ethanol extract of propolis prevents high-fat diet-induced insulin resistance and obesity in association with modulation of gut microbiota in mice
Randomized controlled research conducted in 2020 at Nanchang University investigated the effects of ethanol extract of propolis (EEP) on the gut microbiota by analyzing the relationship between alterations of gut microbiota and insulin resistance and obesity in high fat diet-fed mice. During twelve weeks, the mice were fed with a chow diet, high-fat diet, and high-fat diet supplemented with 1% or 2% ethanol extract of propolis. The results indicated that propolis addition to the diet reduced weight gain and liver fat accumulation, proinflammatory cytokines and insulin resistance, and improved glucose tolerance and lipid profile. The authors also claimed that propolis supplements increased anti-obesity and anti-inflammatory bacteria, significantly associated with metabolic parameters of insulin resistance and obesity in mice. This study speculated that those observations might be mediated by modulating gut microbiota composition and function.* *Cai, Wei, et al. "Ethanol extract of propolis prevents high-fat diet-induced insulin resistance and obesity in association with modulation of gut microbiota in mice." Food Research International 130 (2020): 108939.
Source: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0963996919308257
