The beneficial effects of Agaricus blazei Murrill on hepatic antioxidant enzymes and the pancreatic tissue recovery in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

Agaricus blazei Murrill (ABM), is a medicinal mushroom, has beneficial effects on diabetes mellitus. In this study, ABM extracts (ethanol extract, EE and ethyl acetate extract, EA) were evaluated to explore the beneficial effect on hepatic antioxidant activity and recovery of the pancreatic tissue in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. The hepatic antioxidant activities of ABM extracts were analyzed by superoxide dismutase, catalase activity, glutathione, aspartate transaminase, and alanine transaminase. Moreover, the effects of ABM extracts on pancreatic tissue restoration were investigated by histopathological analysis. The results revealed that the EA showed a better protective effect on hepatic antioxidant activity and recovery of the impaired pancreatic tissues, compared to EE. The results suggested that ABM treatment could effectively reduce oxidative stress and contribute to pancreatic tissue recovery. Therefore, ABM could be used as a functional food to control diabetes. Practical applications The research may contribute to the development of ABM as functional foods or dietary supplements for diabetes in the future.