Hypoglycemic activity of aqueous extract of Pleurotus pulmonarius in alloxan-induced diabetic mice

Mushrooms have been valued throughout the world as both food and medicine for thousands of years. In the current study, we report the hypoglycemic effects of aqueous extract of one variety of mushroom, Pleurotus pulmonarius (Fr.) Quel.-Champ (Lentinaceae), in alloxan-induced diabetic mice. Pleurotus pulmonarius extract was administrated orally at doses of 250, 500, and 1000 mg/kg to separate groups of mice (normal and alloxan-treated mice), and serum glucose and body weight were measured. In the separate group of mice, an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was carried out. Acute oral toxicity data showed no mortality in the normal mice up to 5000 mg/kg. Oral administration of extracts reduced the serum glucose level in alloxan-treated diabetic mice in all the doses tested after acute and chronic (28 days) administration. The extract also showed increased glucose tolerance in both normal and diabetic mice. These results suggest that the extract possesses hypoglycemic activity.