Publications

The global rise in obesity-associated type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) has sparked a paradigm shift in understanding metabolic diseases beyond mere caloric imbalance. Emerging evidence positions the gut microbiota as a critical modulator of host metabolism, immunity, and endocrine signaling. Alterations in gut microbial composition termed dysbiosis are intricately linked to chronic low-grade inflammation, insulin resistance, and lipid metabolism dysfunction, all of which are hallmarks of obesity-associated diabetes. Concurrently, natural products from plants, fungi, and marine sources have gained attention for their prebiotic, antimicrobial, and immunomodulatory properties that favorably reshape gut microbial ecology. This review examines the mechanistic pathways through which natural compounds modulate gut microbiota and attenuate metabolic dysregulation in obesity-associated T2DM. Specific focus is given to polyphenols, flavonoids, alkaloids, polysaccharides, and essential oils, highlighting their impact on microbial diversity, short-chain fatty acid production, intestinal barrier integrity, and inflammatory markers. We also explore clinical and translational implications, challenges in therapeutic implementation, and future directions for microbiotatargeted natural interventions in metabolic syndrome.