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The Antioxidant Properties of Mushroom Polysaccharides Can Potentially Mitigate Oxidative Stress, Beta-Cell Dysfunction and Insulin Resistance

Summary

This research examines how compounds from medicinal mushrooms could help treat diabetes by fighting harmful molecules called free radicals in the body. These mushroom compounds act as powerful antioxidants that can protect cells from damage and help control blood sugar levels. The findings suggest mushroom extracts could provide a natural alternative to current diabetes medications. Impacts on everyday life: – Could provide a safer, natural treatment option for diabetes with fewer side effects – May help prevent diabetes complications like nerve and kidney damage – Could reduce healthcare costs through prevention and natural treatment – Makes beneficial mushroom compounds more accessible as supplements – Helps validate traditional medicinal mushroom use with scientific evidence

Background

Diabetes mellitus is a prevalent metabolic and endocrine illness affecting people worldwide, with serious health and financial implications. While synthetic antidiabetic drugs have several negative effects, natural polysaccharides from mushrooms show promise as antidiabetic agents. Oxidative stress plays a critical role in diabetes mellitus development, particularly through reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS) triggered by hyperglycemia.

Objective

To review the antioxidant properties of mushroom polysaccharides used in managing diabetic complications, and examine whether these properties contribute to deactivating oxidative stress-related signaling pathways and ameliorating β-cell dysfunction and insulin resistance. The study aimed to systematically review relevant information on antioxidant and antidiabetic effects of mushrooms from electronic databases between 1994-2021.

Results

The review identified 104 different polysaccharides from mushrooms with antidiabetic effects. Most studies demonstrated beneficial effects of mushroom polysaccharides on reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS) levels. The polysaccharides showed ability to reduce hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia through multiple molecular mechanisms. They improved antioxidant systems, reduced oxidative stress, and protected against diabetic complications through various pathways including NF-κB, p38 MAPK, and hexosamine pathways.

Conclusion

Mushroom polysaccharides demonstrate significant potential as antioxidant agents that can reduce ROS production and target pathways leading to diabetic complications. While the evidence supports their development as therapeutic agents for diabetes treatment, further research is needed to confirm their effectiveness in alleviating hyperglycemia and understand the underlying mechanisms. Larger clinical trials are recommended to examine the efficacy of mushroom polysaccharides as antioxidant treatments for diabetes.
  • Published in:Frontiers in Pharmacology,
  • Study Type:Systematic Review,
  • Source: 10.3389/fphar.2022.874474
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