Grifola frondosa is a basidiomycete polypore fungus.
Polysaccharides from G. frondosa (
PGF) has recently attracted attention for its various physiological activities including
antioxidant, antitumor, and anti-
fatigue effects. In this study,
hypoglycemic activity of
PGF and its preventive effect against the progression of kidney
fibrosis in
Diabetic nephropathy (DN) rats were investigated. The results showed that
PGF led to a significant decrease in fasting
blood glucose levels and an increase in
body weight in the treatment group compared with those of model group. Serum biochemical indexes including N-acetyl-β-D-
glucosaminidase (NAG), blood
urea nitrogen (BUN), serum
creatinine (SCr), and urine microalbumin (u-mAlb) levels of
PGF-treated group were significantly lower than those of model group. Inflammatory
cytokines and renal
fibrosis indexes of
PGF group were also decreased compared to the model group. The whole results demonstrated the renal-protective effects of
PGF via reducing the inflammatory factor content and preventing renal
fibrosis. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: G. frondosa constitutes a rich source of
polysaccharides,
steroid, and phenolic compounds. The results obtained revealed that the purified
PGF have the effect of reducing
inflammation cytokines and renal
fibrosis indexes. These two factors are associated with the development and progression of
diabetic nephropathy. Therefore,
PGF may produce both
hypoglycemic and renal-protective effects, and potentially be of use as a functional food for the treatment or prevention of
diabetic nephropathy.