Exploring Edible Mushrooms for Diabetes: Unveiling Their Role in Prevention and Treatment

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus is a complex illness in which the body does not create enough insulin to control blood glucose levels. Worldwide, this disease is life-threatening and requires low-cost, side-effect-free medicine. Due to adverse effects, many synthetic hypoglycemic medications for diabetes fail. Mushrooms are known to contain natural bioactive components that may be anti-diabetic; thus, scientists are now targeting them. Mushroom extracts, which improve immune function and fight cancer, are becoming more popular. Mushroom-derived functional foods and dietary supplements can delay the onset of potentially fatal diseases and help treat pre-existing conditions, which leads to the successful prevention and treatment of type 2 diabetes, which is restricted to the breakdown of complex polysaccharides by pancreatic-amylase and the suppression of intestinal-glucosidase. Many mushroom species are particularly helpful in lowering blood glucose levels and alleviating diabetes symptoms. Hypoglycaemic effects have been observed in investigations on Agaricussu brufescens, Agaricus bisporus, Cordyceps sinensis, Inonotus obliqus, Coprinus comatus, Ganoderma lucidum, Phellinus linteus, Pleurotus spp., Poria cocos, and Sparassis crispa. For diabetics, edible mushrooms are high in protein, vitamins, and minerals and low in fat and cholesterol. The study found that bioactive metabolites isolated from mushrooms, such as polysaccharides, proteins, dietary fibers, and many pharmacologically active compounds, as well as solvent extracts of mushrooms with unknown metabolites, have anti-diabetic potential in vivo and in vitro, though few are in clinical trials.

Assessing the nutritional quality of Pleurotus ostreatus (oyster mushroom)

“…It also reduces cancer risk, especially breast and colon cancer where the gut bacteria play intermediary roles between the disease and its risk factors (88)(89)(90). The fiber content helps to lower blood sugar levels, making it highly beneficial for management of diabetes and numerous sugar related diseases (91). The fiber present in Pleurotus ostreatus also aids in increasing digestion and excretion by contributing to stool weight and reducing transit time.…”

Protein-based nutritional strategies to manage the development of diabetes: evidence and challenges in human studies

“…67 There are proteins from sources which have been evaluated at in vitro levels, but no clinical trials regarding the specific role of their protein were found, such as fungi. 68 It is expected that clinical trials employing alternative proteins will be carried out soon and will pave the way to employ these protein sources as ingredients in the food industry. Promoting the use of alternative protein sources can contribute to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), in particular the zero hunger goal (SDG 2) aiming to end hunger ensuring food safety, while taking advantage of environmentally friendly sources or using food waste as a source of dietary compounds (SDG 13-climate change or SDG 15-terrestrial ecosystems, forestry, and biodiversity).…”

In Vitro and In Vivo Antihyperglycemic Effects of New Metabiotics from Boletus edulis

“…Lipid peroxides were analyzed using the thiobarbituric acid reactive substances method [24], and the results were expressed in nmol of malondialdehyde (MDA) per mL of plasma. Carbonylated proteins, resulting from the interaction between reactive oxygen species and proteins, were evaluated in the plasma using the guanidine hydrochloride method [25], with the results expressed in nmol per milligram of protein.…”