Antidiabetic potential of four species of Termitomyces mushrooms from Nepal.

People use mushrooms to treat diabetes mellitus. We studied the antidiabetic potential of four Termitomyces mushrooms using porcine pancreatic α-amylase inhibitory activity and alloxan-induced diabetic mice. Methanolic extracts of all Termitomyces mushrooms were effective in inhibiting α-amylase activity. T. striatus forma ochraceus showed the highest α-amylase inhibitory activity of 61.4% (200 g/ml). When we administered intraperitoneal doses of Termitomyces extracts (250 and 500 mg/kg) to alloxan-induced diabetes mice (30-35 g), we observed a weight loss in diabetic control mice compared to diabetic mice. At the end of the 15 days, diabetic control mice lost more weight with the administration dose of 500 mg/kg than that of 250 mg/kg Termitomyces extracts. Monitoring blood glucose levels for 15 days revealed that 500 mg/kg significantly reduced blood glucose levels compared to 250 mg/kg. In conclusion, Termitomyces species were effective in decreasing α-amylase activity and reducing blood sugar levels in alloxan-induced diabetic mice.