Exploring the efficacy of the wild mushroom Astraeus hygrometricus extract on lipid profiles, insulin resistance, and oxidative stress in rats fed a high-fat diet

Abstract

Edible wild mushrooms are considered to contain healthy bioactive ingredients that exert various pharmacological effects. We aimed to determine the antihyperlipidemic, antihyperglycemic, and antioxidant effects of the wild mushroom Astraeus hygrometricus (A. hygrometricus) extract in a rat model of dyslipidemia induced by a high-fat diet (HFD). Experimental rats received an HFD with or without A. hygrometricus extract (500 mg/kg body weight) or simvastatin (10 mg/kg body weight, a positive control) for 63 days. Oral administration of the extract decreased the blood glucose, glycated hemoglobin, triglyceride, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels; counteracted insulin resistance; and increased the high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels in HFD-fed rats. These changes were accompanied by a decrease in serum malondialdehyde and an increase in the activities of superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase, two major antioxidant enzymes. Overall, A. hygrometricus extract supplementation alleviates hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia in HFD-fed rats by decreasing insulin resistance and reducing oxidative stress.