Hypoglycaemic effect of Pleurotus ostreatus in rats

The study was conducted to assess the hypoglycaemic effect of Pleurotus ostreatus in alloxan diabetic rats. Three dose levels of Pleurotus ostreatus (250, 500 and 1000 mg/kg) were tested in rats. All the alloxan diabetic rats showed decrease in body weight. Administration of Pleurotus ostreatus resulted in increasing body weight in a dose dependent manner. A dose dependent decrease in blood glucose level was obtained with P. ostreatus at doses of 250, 500 and 1000 mg/kg. The increased serum cholesterol level observed in alloxan diabetic animals was reversed with the administration of P. ostreatus. The lowest serum cholesterol level was observed with 1000 mg/kg of P. ostreatus. All the experimental groups showed reduction in the serum triglyceride level but the most significant result (P<0.05) was shown by Group V. The diabetic animals showed a significant decrease (P<0.05) in liver glycogen level but the liver glycogen level was significantly increased (P<0.05) when treated with P. ostreatus. The present study revealed hypoglycaemic and hypolipidemic effect of P. ostreatus.