Anti-Diabetic Activity of Maitake Mushroom Extract (SXF) on Diabetic KK-A y Mouse

Abstract

A lack of specific and effective treatment for Type 2 diabetes has long demanded to establish a better therapeutic modality. As the maitake mushroom extract, SX-fraction (SXF), has been shown to have anti-diabetic activity, we investigated if SXF would demonstrate such an activity in diabetic KK-A y mice. Test materials included original maitake mushroom (Orig-M), two different doses of SXF [low dose of SXF (L) and high dose of SXF (H)], and Actos ® (ACT). Two hundred KK-A y mice were divided into five experimental groups: (A) Sham (none given), (B) Orig-M, (C) SXF (L), (D) SXF (H), and (E) ACT. Mice received these materials for 8 weeks, while the experimental conditions, such as body weight and diabetic/lipid parameters, were monitored every two weeks. No significant changes in body weight were seen in all experimental groups. Regarding diabetic parameters, the serum glucose (GLC) levels in the groups B and C were significantly lower than the Sham group (A) at 2 weeks. The GLC decline was seen further in the groups C and D at 8 weeks. However, the levels of 1,5-anhydro-D-glucitol (1,5-AG), a marker used for the short-term glycemic control, showed no significant changes between the groups. The significant reduction in the serum insulin (INS) levels was yet detected in the group D at 8 weeks. Serum lipid parameters, i.e. , serum triglyceride (TGL), total cholesterol (CHL), and high-density lipoprotein (HDL), in the groups (B-E) were noticeably higher than the Sham (A) group, although such differences were not statistically significant. In conclusion, SXF appears to significantly lower the GLC and INS levels in KK-A y mice. However, no significant changes or improvements in lipid parameters (TGL, CHL, and HDL) were found with SXF. Nonetheless, this study demonstrates that SXF has anti-diabetic activity, capable of improving certain diabetic conditions.