HYPOGLYCEMIC ACTIVITY OF ETHANOLIC EXTRACT OF ASTRAEUS HYGROMETRICUS (PERS.) MORG. IN ALLOXAN-INDUCED DIABETIC MICE

Objective: All over the whole world, mushrooms have been cherished for thousands of years both as medicine and as food. In the present study, we report the hypoglycemic effects of ethanolic extract of Astraeus hygrometricus (Pers.) Morg. (Astraeceae), in alloxan-induced diabetic mice. Methods: A. hygrometricus ethanolic extract was administrated by oral route, and levels of blood glucose and body weight were measured. In a separate set of mice, an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was conducted. Results: Administration of extracts orally reduced the level of blood glucose in diabetic mice treated with alloxan, tested subsequent to acute (24 hours) and subacute (28 days) administration. The treatment with extract furthermore showed better tolerance to glucose.