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Adjuvant Therapy with Mushroom Polysaccharides for Diabetic Complications

Summary

This research examines how compounds extracted from medicinal mushrooms could help treat complications from diabetes. Mushroom polysaccharides are natural substances that show promise in treating various diabetes-related health issues with fewer side effects than conventional drugs. Impacts on everyday life: – Provides a potentially safer alternative to traditional diabetes medications – Could help prevent or reduce serious complications from diabetes like kidney disease and poor wound healing – Offers new ways to use common edible mushrooms as medicine – May reduce healthcare costs through prevention of diabetes complications – Demonstrates the value of natural medicines in treating chronic diseases

Background

Diabetic complications seriously endanger the health of most diabetic patients worldwide. Most chemical hypoglycemic agents have adverse effects and are unable to improve the progression of diabetic complications. Medicinal herbs have become increasingly popular for treating diabetic complications due to their relative safety. Polysaccharides extracted from medicinal herbs with multiple pharmacological activities and low toxicity have shown promise in treating diabetic complications.

Objective

To study the effects of mushroom polysaccharides on hyperglycemia and as adjuvant therapies for diabetic complications, and summarize their applications and limitations to better understand their potential for treating diabetic complications.

Results

Mushroom polysaccharides were proven to have positive effects on diabetic complications through multiple mechanisms including antioxidant activities, regulation of lipid metabolism, protection against kidney and liver damage, improvement of wound healing, and alleviation of bone deterioration. Key mushroom species studied include Auricularia auricula, Flammulina velutipes, Ganoderma lucidum, and Trametes versicolor.

Conclusion

Growing research suggests mushroom polysaccharides play a key role in treating diabetic complications with various advantages. While promising, further investigations on safety aspects and structure-function relationships are needed. Current research has focused mainly on lipid metabolism and renal complications, with limited studies on other complications like diabetic foot, retinopathy and nervous system complications.
  • Published in:Frontiers in Pharmacology,
  • Study Type:Review,
  • Source: 10.3389/fphar.2020.00168
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