Background: This study aimed to explore the synergistic hypoglycemic effect and mechanism of 1-deoxynojirimycin (DNJ) in mulberry leaves and theaflavins (TFs) in black tea. Methods: The synergistic inhibition of α-glucosidase and α-amylase by DNJ-TFs was evaluated using enzyme assays and the Chou–Talalay model. Insulin-resistant (IR) HepG2 cells and high-fat diet (HFD)-induced type 2 diabetes mellitus mice were treated with DNJ, TFs, or DNJ-TFs, determining the efficacy of drug combinations by measuring glycolipids and inflammatory factors. Network pharmacology and molecular docking were used to identify key target genes and signaling pathways, and CETSA experiments were used to verify the binding of drugs to targets. Key genes were further verified by immunofluorescence, Western blot, and Real-time PCR. Results: DNJ-TFs synergistically suppressed α-glucosidase (CI = 0.85) and α-amylase (CI = 0.76). In HepG2 cells, DNJ-TFs ameliorated palmitic acid-induced IR by promoting glucose uptake, attenuating lipid accumulation, and regulating glycolipid metabolism. In HFD mice, DNJ-TFs counteracted hyperglycemia, dyslipidemia, systemic inflammation and oxidative stress, elevated HOMA-IR, and hepatic steatosis. Network pharmacology integrated with experimental validation identified PTGS2 and MMP9 as key binding targets of DNJ and TFs. Furthermore, DNJ-TFs could inhibit the increase in liver TNFα protein and the decrease in p-AKT, p-GSKα, p-GSKβ, and GLUT2 protein caused by high fat, both in vivo and in vitro. Conclusions: DNJ and TFs exert synergistic glucose-lowering effects by targeting PTGS2/MMP9 and regulating the TNFα/AKT/GSK3/GLUT2 axis, providing a promising natural therapeutic strategy for diabetes management.

Introduction: The co-circulation of COVID-19 and seasonal influenza highlighted the importance of promoting influenza vaccination. However, the influenza vaccination rate among the Chinese population is low and requires further promotion. This study examined multi-dimensional factors, such as knowledge of seasonal influenza, health perceptions, cues to action, patient–provider relationships, and COVID-19 pandemic-related factors, in relation to the uptake of the seasonal influenza vaccine (SIV) among the Chinese population. Methods: A cross-sectional, self-administered online survey using a quota sampling method was conducted among Chinese adults 18 years and older between June and August 2022. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to explore factors associated with the 2021 SIV behavior. Results: A total of 3161 individuals from different regions of China were included in this study. The multivariate logistic regression demonstrated that perceived severity of influenza, perceived barriers to taking SIV, cues to action, a stable relationship with providers, worry about contracting COVID-19 in immunization settings, non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs), and awareness of the influenza vaccine in protecting against COVID-19 were significantly associated with the SIV uptake. Conclusions: This study examined multi-dimensional factors that may influence SIV uptake. Health promotion programs should incorporate multi-dimensional factors, including personal and environmental factors, related to SIV promotion during the co-circulation period.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a complex metabolic disorder. The nutritional status of vitamin D, an essential micronutrient, is closely linked to the onset and progression of T2DM. A growing body of research has shown that gut microbiota and its metabolites are emerging as a biological link connecting vitamin D and systemic glucose metabolism. Gut dysbiosis is prevalent in T2DM patients, which is characterized by reduced gut microbial diversity, increased abundance of pathogenic bacteria, and abnormal production of key metabolites such as short-chain fatty acids, bile acids and tryptophan derivatives. These abnormal changes in gut microecology and metabolites can impair intestinal barrier integrity and induce chronic low-grade inflammation in the body, and vitamin D deficiency may further exacerbate these abnormal processes. The evidence suggests that the regulatory effect of vitamin D on systemic glucose metabolism may be partially achieved through gut microbiota-related pathways. This review aims to explore whether, and by what mechanisms, the gut microbiota mediates the regulatory effect of vitamin D on T2DM. It also intends to conduct an analysis of the potential molecular mechanisms underlying the interactions between vitamin D, gut microbiota and T2DM, so as to provide a new theoretical basis and research ideas for the prevention and intervention of T2DM.

Given the current lack of government-led front-of-package nutrition labeling policies in China, research on Chinese consumers’ genuine perceptions of nutrition labels and their association with healthy behaviors remains scarce. Notably, Shanghai’s beverage grading policy stands out as one of the rare existing initiatives, providing a valuable opportunity to explore public awareness of the policy, its potential determinants, and its associations with consumer choices. To gain a clearer understanding of public perceptions of the beverage grading policy, a survey was conducted across seven hospitals in Shanghai, yielding 931 valid responses for analysis. Analysis We conducted descriptive analyses and multinomial logistic regression to explore factors associated with public awareness of the policy. We also examined how different levels of awareness were related to beverage consumption patterns. More than half of the respondents were unaware of the policy. Greater awareness was associated with being female, younger, more highly educated, having a lower BMI, and paying closer attention to food nutrition and ingredient labels. However, respondents with nutrition-related chronic diseases and dietary restrictions did not exhibit significantly higher awareness. Individuals more familiar with the policy tended to purchase non-water beverages more frequently and, following its widespread implementation, adopted a more practical approach to their beverage choices. Moreover, higher policy awareness correlated with increased attention to sweeteners and trans fats. Overall, this study found that public awareness of the beverage grading policy remains low, highlighting persistent research gaps in health-promotion efforts—particularly regarding the psychological mechanisms linking policy awareness to consumption behavior, and the media’s role in shaping consumers’ understanding of key nutrients. Looking ahead, the broader implementation of front-of-package labeling in China will require addressing entrenched systemic challenges.