Effect of Pleurotus eryngii on the Blood Glucose and Cholesterol in Diabetic Rats

Abstract

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of Pleurotus eryngii fruiting body on blood glucose and cholesterol levels in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were used as experimental animals and experimental groups were divided into three groups, consisting of two control groups (diabetic and non-diabetic) and one P. eryngii group. Animals were fed experimental diets for 2 weeks. The values of died and water intake of P. eryngii group were lower than those of diabetic control group. The body weights of both groups after 2 weeks decreased by 18% as compared with initial values. The level of blood glucose decreased significantly by 16.9% in P. eryngii group as compared with diabetic control group, and there was a significant difference in glycosylated hemoglobin (GHb) level between both groups. The levels of total-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol in plasma and atherosclerotic index were not significantly different between both groups. However the level of HDL-cholesterol increased significantly by 28% in P. eryngii group as compared with diabetic control group. These results suggested that fruiting bodies of P. eryngii exert blood glucose-lowering effect in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.