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

Abstract

Background: The Chaga mushroom (Inonotus obliquus) is a medicinal mushroom that grows on mature birch trees and is commonly used in traditional medicine for various ailments. Extracts from this mushroom have been found to have anticancer and antioxidant properties. While there have been numerous studies on the antihyperglycemic effects of Inonotus obliquus, research on its antihyperglycemic activity in our country is lacking, prompting the need for this study. Aim: The current study aimed to explore the pancreatic protective effects of the water extract of Mongolian natural Inonotus obliquus on alloxan-induced type 1 diabetes mellitus in mice. Materials and Methods: Alloxan monohydrate (200 mg/kg) was intraperitoneally 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. The pancreas islet’s histological structure was assessed after the treatment periods. Pancreatic beta and alpha cells were identified by immunohistochemistry and the percentage area of cells was evaluated by morphometric analysis. Results: In the histological and immunohistological analysis, the damage to β-cell was more prominent in the pancreatic islet structure of alloxan-induced diabetic mice. However, this damage was significantly reduced in the group treated with the water extract of I. obliquus (500 mg/kg), displaying a structure more akin to normal. These results suggested that the water extract of I. obliquus might protect β-cells from alloxan-induced cellular harm. Conclusion: In the current study, the antihyperglycemic effect of the water extract of I. obliquus, a native of Mongolia, on alloxan-induced diabetic mice was validated by the recovery of the β-cell structure of the pancreatic islets of Langerhans and the increase in the proportion of normal β-cells. The findings demonstrate that the water extract of I. obliquus shields β-cells from alloxan-induced cellular damage.