Armillaria mellea polysaccharide improves chronic fatigue through intestinal flora

Chronic fatigue (CF) is a fatigue-related disorder characterized by persistent exhaustion. Potential associations may exist among the release of pro-inflammatory factors, the activation of oxidative stress, and gut microbiota dysbiosis in patients with CF. Notably, edible fungal polysaccharides, as natural functional foods with no adverse effects, hold potential therapeutic value for CF intervention. Although the potential interventional effects of edible and medicinal fungi on CF have been partially explored, the underlying mechanisms remain incompletely elucidated. This study aimed to investigate the effects of Armillaria mellea polysaccharide (AMP) on oxidative stress and the gut microbiota in CF model mice. The CF model was established via daily restrained running wheel tests combined with nocturnal noise exposure, and the mice were orally administered AMP at graded doses (100-400 mg/kg). Monosaccharide composition analysis revealed that AMP consists of mannose (3.415%), glucose (83.673%), and galactose (9.221%). Compared with the model group, the AMP-treated group presented significantly lower interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels (p < 0.05) and significantly greater superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, indicating improved antioxidant capacity. Furthermore, the AMP intervention significantly increased the abundance of lactic acid bacteria in the intestinal tract of the mice compared with the model group (p < 0.05). These findings demonstrate that AMP can serve as a natural dietary supplement with potential therapeutic value for CF intervention.