An insight into antidiabetic properties of six medicinal and edible mushrooms : Inhibition of α-amylase and α-glucosidase linked to type-2 diabetes

As a continuation of our search for biologically active mushroom species the present study investigates in vitro antidiabetic properties of six edible and medicinal mushroom species: Agaricus blazei Murrill, Coprinus comatus (O.F. Müll.) Pers., Cordyceps militaris (L.) Fr., Inonotus obliquus (Ach. ex Pers.) Pilát, Morchella conica Pers. and Phellinus linteus Berk. & M.A. Curtis. In vitro assays on α-amylase and α-glucosidase enzymes inhibition were performed with methanolic extracts of the selected mushrooms. Furthermore, we calculated the necessary daily intake of mushroom extracts and dry mushroom powders based on the equivalent doses of therapeutic drug acarbose given to diabetic patients per day. Our comparative study on enzymes inhibition showed that the most promising potential is ascribed to Inonotus obliquus extract, while no inhibition of α-amylase was recorded with Morchella conica and Cordyceps militaris methanolic extract at the tested concentration. This comparative study is the first highlighting in vitro antidiabetic potential by inhibition of α-amylase and α-glucosidase with methanolic extracts; which makes the investigated species more promising for the diabetes type-2 treatment by an additional and different mechanism of action.