Functional food potential of Anoectochilus roxburghii aqueous extract: UPLC ‐ MS profiling and in vivo efficacy in type 2 diabetic mice

BACKGROUND: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) poses a significant threat to global health, emphasizing the need for novel and effective treatments with minimal side effects. Anoectochilus roxburghii, commonly used in teas and food preparations, has shown promise as a functional food with antidiabetic activity. The present study aimed to investigate the bioactive composition and antidiabetic potential of A. roxburghii aqueous extract (AAE) on T2DM. RESULTS: The extraction method of AAE was optimized using response surface methodology, achieving a total flavonoid content of 3.24%. Forty-one components were identified in AAE using ultra performance liquid chromatography Q-Exactive Orbitrap (Thermo Fisher Scientific) mass spectrometry. Network pharmacology analysis predicted potential targets including NFKB1 and TLR4, suggesting the involvement of nuccear factor-kappa B and other related pathways. A T2DM model was induced by high-fat feeding and streptozotocin injection, showing increased glucose intolerance and insulin resistance, which AAE mitigated. AAE also modulated reactive oxygen species and cytokine levels, improved lipid profiles, glycogen and glucose transporter 2 levels. Hematoxylin and eosin and Oil Red O staining demonstrated that AAE alleviated pathological changes and lipid accumulation in the pancreas and liver of T2DM mice. Immunohistochemical observations further suggested that AAE may influence the expression of TLR4, NF-κB p65, MyD88 and IκBα. Among various physiological indicators, AAE improvement on 10 indices, including fasting blood glucose, fasting insulin and C-peptide, was comparable or superior to that of the positive drug metformin. CONCLUSION: These findings support the functional food potential of AAE in the dietary management of T2DM and provide preliminary evidence for its molecular targets and regulatory pathways. © 2025 Society of Chemical Industry.