Millet and its components have received much extensive attention for their health benefits in mitigating
metabolic diseases. Foxtail millet is rich in
phytochemicals, including oil. However, the
hypoglycemic capacity of foxtail millet oil has yet to be fully investigated. The present study explored the effects of consuming this oil as the
lipid extract of foxtail millet (LEFM) on intestinal microbiota composition and metabolic function in diabetic mice. After eight weeks of LEFM supplementation, the
blood glucose,
insulin resistance index, and
lipid accumulation of diabetic mice were significantly decreased. In addition, LEFM feeding modulated gut microbiota composition, reduced the abundance of harmful bacteria (Escherichia-Shigella, Peptococcus, and norank_f_Oscillospiraceae), induced a bloom of probiotics, especially
short-chain fatty acid (SCFA)-producing bacteria (Adlercreutzia, Faecalibaculum, and Bifidobacterium), and increased SCFAs concentration. LEFM treatment altered serum metabolite levels, for instance, greatly increasing the levels of
l-carnitine and
l-glutamine and reducing S-acetyldihydrolipoamide-E and
sphingosine. Overall, improvements in gut microbiota and metabolic function were associated with the
hypoglycemic potential of LEFM.