Alleviation of Liver Dysfunction, Oxidative Stress, and Inflammation Underlines the Protective Effects of Polysaccharides from Cordyceps cicadae on High Sugar/High Fat Diet‐Induced Metabolic Syndrome in Rats

Abstract This study investigated the protective effects of two polysaccharides (CPA‐1 and CPB‐2) from Cordyceps cicadae against high fructose/high fat diet (HF/HFD) induced obesity and metabolic disorders in rats. Rats were either fed with normal diet or HF/HFD and treated with CPA‐1 and CPB‐2 (100 and 300 mg/kg) for 11 weeks. Administration of CPA‐1 and CPB‐2 significantly and dose dependently reduced body and liver weight, insulin and glucose tolerance, serum insulin and glucose levels. Furthermore, serum and hepatic lipid profiles, liver function enzymes and proinflammatory cytokines (TNF‐α, IL‐1β and IL‐6) were markedly reduced. Additionally, CPA‐1 and CPB‐2 treatment alleviated hepatic oxidative stress by reducing lipid peroxidation level (MDA) and upregulating glutathione peroxidase (GSH‐Px), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities as well as ameliorated histological alterations through the reduction of hepatic lipid accumulation. These results suggested that the polysaccharides from C. cicadae showed protective effects against HF/HFD induced metabolic disturbances and may be considered as a dietary supplement for treating obesity.