Antidiabetic and haematoprotective effects of an aqueous extract of Tremella fuciformis in streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder characterised by persistent hyperglycaemia, oxidative stress, body-weight loss, and haematological dysfunction. This study investigated the antidiabetic and haematoprotective potential of a polysaccharide-rich aqueous extract of Tremella fuciformis (AETF) in streptozotocin-induced diabetic BALB/c mice. Diabetes was induced by a single intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin at a dose of 60 mg/kg bw, followed by oral administration of AETF at 50 and 100 mg per kilogram body weight for 28 days. Fasting blood glucose, body weight, and haematological parameters were evaluated across normal healthy control, diabetic control, and AETF-treated groups. STZ-induced diabetes resulted in marked hyperglycaemia, significant body-weight loss, reductions in RBC, Hb, HCT, and MCHC, and elevations in WBC, platelet count, MCV, and MCH, indicating substantial metabolic and haematological disturbances. AETF treatment significantly reduced fasting blood glucose levels, attenuated diabetes-associated weight loss, and ameliorated haematological abnormalities in a dose-dependent manner. The observed benefits are consistent with previously reported biological activities of Tremella fuciformis polysaccharides, including enhanced glucose utilisation, improved insulin responsiveness, attenuation of oxidative stress, and modulation of key metabolic pathways such as AMPK and PPAR-mediated signalling. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that polysaccharide-rich AETF exerts coordinated antidiabetic and haematoprotective effects in streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice, highlighting Tremella fuciformis as a promising functional dietary adjunct for mitigating metabolic and haematological complications associated with diabetes mellitus. Keywords: Antidiabetic, haematoprotective, hyperglycaemia, Streptozotocin, Tremella fuciformis, BALB/c mice