Effect of diet supplemented with P. ostreatus and L. subnudus on memory index and key enzymes linked with Alzheimer’s disease in streptozotocin‐induced diabetes rats

Mushrooms have been reported in folklore for the management of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and diabetes with limited scientific prove. This study aims to unravel the effect of diets supplemented with P. ostreatus and L. subnudus on diabetic encephalopathy (DE) in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. The memory index, brain cholinesterase, arginase activity, and markers for oxidative stress were evaluated. STZ-induced diabetic rats exhibited memory deficits, elevated brain cholinesterase, arginase activity in comparison with nondiabetic rats. Also, markers for oxidative stress were altered in the brain of diabetic rat when compare with nondiabetic rats. Meanwhile, diabetic rats fed with supplemented-diets exhibited better memory index, reduced cholinesterase, arginase activity in comparison with untreated diabetic rats placed on a basal diet. Also, supplemented-diets restored altered markers of oxidative stress. Our findings indicated that P. ostreatus and L. subnudus-supplemented diets could prevent DE. Nevertheless, diets supplemented with L. subnudus had better nutraceutical potential than P. ostreatus. Practical applications Diabetes mellitus is one of the most chronic diseases in the world. Also, it is a risk factor for several complications such as cognitive dysfunction, hypertension, and other health issues. Mushrooms are commonly consumed as food or as food supplements in many countries of the world and are a rich source of protein, chitin, and vitamins. Diet supplemented with P. ostreatus and L. subnudus were able to restore memory deficit in diabetic rats, proven to be a dietary intervention in the management of memory deficit linked with diabetes mellitus. Findings from this study show that consumption of P. ostreatus and L. subnudus as food or supplement could help in a diabetic state.