Cholesterol and Glucose Lowering Effect by Some Edible Mushrooms

Ten species of edible mushrooms (higher fungi) were tested for their ability to reduce cholesterol and glucose in mice blood. The powders of dried fruit bodies of these mushrooms were mixed with standard mice diet at 5 and 10°o (on dry wt.).This diet was also supplemer.ted with 2% of pure cholesterol and glucose. Though the significant reduct ion of blood cholesterol and glucose in mice fed on all tested mushrooms (at both concentrations) was recorded, maximum reduction of blood cholesterol in mice fed on I0% of Pleurotus ostreatus (Gray type), Lentinus edodes, Pleurotus ostreatus (white type), Ganoderma lucidum and Plcurotus sajor-caju was 52.55, 50. 48.5, 46.6 and 38. I% in males. and 50.42,48.72, 46.4, 43.4 and 3 8.1% in females, respectively, after 4 weeks from feeding. On the other hand, maximum reduction of blood glucose in mice fed on l0% of Lentmus edodes, Coprinus comatus. Pleura/Us sajor-caju, Pleurotus ostreatus (White type) and Ganoderma lucidum was 47, 42, 33.5, 33 and 32% in males and 45, 42, 33.5, 32 and 35% in females, respectively, after 4 weeks tl om feeding. These results suggest that these edible mushrooms benefit for patients suffering rrom hypertension, diabetes and obesity.