BACKGROUND: Pholiota adiposa is a valuable edible and medicinal fungus.
METHODS: In this study, we aimed to investigate the anti-diabetic effects of the polysaccharides extracted from Pholiota Adiposa (PAP) by the method of water extraction and alcohol precipitation on streptozotocin-induced diabetic ICR male mice. PAP was analyzed by LS-MS method. Relevant biochemical indicators were detected by ELISA assay, hematoxylin-eosin staining (H & E), Fasting Glucose Levels (FBG), Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT), tissue homogenate biochemical measurements, immunohistochemical staining and western blot.
RESULTS: The results revealed that the PAP is a neutral polysaccharide composed of d-fructose, d-mannose, dextrose anhydrate, d-xylose, trehalose, and galactose. And the PAP treatment groups exhibited a significant reduction in FBG levels, the HD group was about 10 mmol/L lower than the DC group, and increase in body weight, the HD group weighed about 5 gm more than the DC group on average. Also, the levels of Triacylglycerol (TG), Total Cholesterol (TC), and Low-Density Lipoprotein-Cholesterol (LDL-C) were found to be decreased, while the levels of high-density Superoxide Dismutase (SOD), Lipoproteincholesterol (HDL-C), catalase (CAT), and Glutathione Peroxidase (GSH-Px) were increased in the PAP treatment groups. The pancreatic and liver sections of Diabetic Control group (DC) exhibited several histopathological changes, but the PAP treatment groups exhibited improvements. PAP treatment led to the significant restoration of islet morphology and function. Moreover, the results of the western blot analysis indicate that PAP could be used for the treatment of diabetes, since it modifies part of the IRS1/ PI3K/ AKT signaling pathway.
