Effect of Royal Jelly on Liver and Kidney Protection in Diabetic db/db mice by Modifying Gut Microbiota

Diabetes is a chronic metabolic disorder associated with various systemic complications. Royal jelly (RJ) has been recognized for its potential in ameliorating diabetes-related conditions, although the precise mechanisms remain elusive. In this study, the impact of RJ on spontaneous diabetes and its protective effects against oxidative stress, liver injury, and kidney damage were investigated in db/db mice. The investigation focused on elucidating the underlying mechanisms through the lens of gut microbiota. Our findings revealed that RJ exhibited a modest effect on blood glucose levels in db/db mice, which was not statistically significant. However, RJ treatment significantly reduced serum levels of alanine transaminase, aspartate aminotransferase, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and nonesterified fatty acids, indicating its potential to mitigate liver, kidney, and associated injuries in diabetic mice. RJ supplementation also led to a notable increase in superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, and catalase activities, while reducing malondialdehyde levels in serum, liver, and kidney tissues compared to the diabetic control group. These results suggest that RJ possesses the capacity to alleviate oxidative stress in diabetic db/db mice. Furthermore, analysis of gut microbial composition through 16S rRNA sequencing revealed that RJ intervention promoted the growth of beneficial bacteria such as Lactobacillus acidophilus species, while suppressing the abundance of harmful genera. Overall, our study underscores the hepatoprotective and nephroprotective effects of RJ in diabetic db/db mice, mediated through modulation of gut microbiota.