Antidiabetic activity of Inonotus obliquus water extract in alloxan-induced diabetic mice.

Objectives: The Inonotus obliquus is a medicinal mushroom that grows on mature birch trees and is commonly used in traditional medicine for various ailments. The current study aimed to explore the hypoglycemic, hypolipidemic, and pancreatic protective effects of the water extract of Mongolian natural Inonotus obliquus on alloxan-induced diabetic mice.

Methods: Alloxan monohydrate (200 mg/kg) was intraperitoneally single injected into C57BL/6 mice to induce diabetes. Alloxan-induced diabetic mice were orally given the water extract of inonotus obliquus (WEIO) at doses of 500 mg/kg and subcutaneously administered with insulatard 0.6 IU for 4 weeks. Subsequently, the levels of factors related to blood glucose, insulin and lipids were assessed.

Results: WEIO significantly restored body weight, reduced fasting blood glucose levels, improved glucose tolerance ability, and increased insulin levels compared to the control diabetic mice. WEIO also enhanced cholesterol transportation in the liver, correlated with increased HDL-C levels and decreased TC, TG and LDL-C levels. Histologic examinations revealed that WEIO alleviated alloxan-induced pancreatic tissue damage.

Conclusions: Natural Mongolian I. Obliquus water extracts have an antihyperglycemic effect and enhance islet cell function in alloxan-induced diabetic mice. It is a good candidate for a hypoglycemic functional food or medicine.