Aqueous Extract of Armillaria mellea Mushroom Exhibits Antihyperglycemic, Anti-Inflammatory and Antihyperlipidemic Activities in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats

Abstract The present study investigates the antihyperglycemic, antihyperlipidemic, and anti-inflammatory properties of the water extract of Armillaria mellea (AML), an edible and medicinal mushroom, in rats with diabetes induced by streptozotocin (STZ). Forty-two rats were randomly divided into six groups: normal control (NC), diabetic control (DC), diabetic patients treated with metformin (200 mg/kg) (DMET), and three diabetic groups treated with AML extract at doses of 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg for 21 days (DAML100, DAML200, DAML400). At the conclusion of the experiment, body weight, blood glucose, lipid profile, and liver and kidney function parameters were evaluated. Rats administered AML extract exhibited a marked decrease in blood glucose levels, total cholesterol, triglycerides, and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels, while concurrently demonstrating an increase in high-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels. Furthermore, improvements were also observed in liver and kidney function markers. In addition, the administration of AML resulted in elevated serum insulin and C-peptide levels, indicating that pancreatic β-cell function was restored, and the aqueous extract of the fungus also mitigated systemic inflammation by decreasing proinflammatory cytokines. The findings indicate that AML possesses potent antidiabetic, antihyperlipidemic, and anti-inflammatory activities, suggesting its potential as a natural therapeutic agent for the treatment of diabetes and its associated metabolic complications.