Hypoglycemic Effects of Mycelia Produced from a Submerged Culture of Phellinus linteus (Berk. et Curt.) Teng (Aphyllophoromycetideae) in Streptozotocin-lnduced Diabetic Rats

The hypoglycemic effect of Phellinus linteus (Berk. et Curt.) Teng dried mycelia was investigated in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. It proved to have efficacy in lowering substantially the plasma glucose and total triglyceride (TG) level in diabetic rats. A mycelial dose of 5-10% proved almost equally effective in lowering the plasma glucose level as much as 28%. It also caused a dramatic decrease in TG level at a dose of 5.0%. It lowered the TG level (56.3%) of the diabetic rats, which is even below that of normal controls. The values of glutamic pyruvic transaminase and glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase in plasma were also estimated and exhibited a substantial reduction in activity after the administration of dried mycelia. The result obtained in the present investigation indicated the efficacy of P. linteus dried mycelial powder as a therapeutic regimen for the control of diabetics.