# Hypoglycemic Effect of Pleurotus citrinopileatus and Hericium erinaceus Buccal Tablets on Diabetic Mice

## TL;DR

Researchers tested mushroom-based buccal tablets in diabetic mice and found they reduced blood sugar, improved cholesterol, and changed gut bacteria.

## Contribution

A novel edible mushroom-based buccal tablet combining Pleurotus citrinopileatus and Hericium erinaceus with optimized trace elements is shown to effectively treat diabetes in mice.

## Key findings

- High-dose buccal tablets reduced blood glucose levels by 29.1% in diabetic mice.
- The tablets improved lipid profiles and increased antioxidant enzyme activities.
- Beneficial gut bacteria increased while harmful bacteria decreased in treated mice.

## Abstract

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by persistent hyperglycemia that poses a global health challenge. Edible mushroom fermented foods have garnered attention for their medicinal properties, including hypoglycemic, hypolipidemic, and immunomodulatory effects. In this study, the Cr, Zn, and Ge concentrations in liquid fermentation media of Pleurotus citrinopileatus and Hericium erinaceus was optimized, P. citrinopileatus and H. erinaceus buccal tablets were prepared, and the hypoglycemic efficacy of these buccal tablets was evaluated in diabetic mice. The results showed that the edible mushroom buccal tablets ameliorated hyperglycemia, dyslipidemia, oxidative stress, and reshaped gut microbial community structure of diabetic mice. The findings could pave the way for novel, natural-based therapies for diabetes management.

Diabetes mellitus poses a global health challenge, necessitating natural adjuvants with minimal side effects. The aims of this study were to optimize the concentrations of chromium (Cr), zinc (Zn), and germanium (Ge) in the liquid fermentation media of Pleurotus citrinopileatus and Hericium erinaceus and to evaluate the hypoglycemic efficacy of buccal tablets in diabetic mice. The results showed that the optimal ion concentrations in the liquid fermentation medium were Cr 200 mg/L, Zn 200 mg/L, and Ge 50 mg/L for P. citrinopileatus, and Cr 200 mg/L, Zn 100 mg/L, and Ge 100 mg/L for H. erinaceus. After 3 weeks of administration of high-dose (6 g/kg) P. citrinopileatus and H. erinaceus buccal tablets, a 29.1% reduction in the blood glucose levels of diabetic mice was observed compared with pre-administration. High-dose tablets decreased the levels of total cholesterol, triglyceride, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol while increasing high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Compared with negative control, high-dose tablets increased catalase and superoxide dismutase activities by 31.2% and 34.1%, respectively. Moreover, the buccal tablets modulated the diversity and structure of the gut microbiota in mice. Relative abundance of beneficial genera (Lactobacillus, Akkermansia, Bifidobacterium, and Ruminococcus) in the high-dose group were increased, while diabetogenic taxa (Prevotella, Desulfovibrio, and Enterococcus) were inhibited. It is concluded that buccal tablets combining P. citrinopileatus and H. erinaceus treated with Cr, Zn, and Ge significantly ameliorated hyperglycemia, dyslipidemia, and oxidative stress, and reshaped the gut microbiota in diabetic mice, demonstrating the potential of edible mushrooms and trace elements as a natural antidiabetic therapy.