Selenium-enriched Lentinus edodes: characterization and antidiabetic effects in Wistar rats

Area of Science:

• Food Science
• Nutritional Biochemistry
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Lentinus edodes (shiitake mushroom) is a globally significant edible mushroom.
• Selenium enrichment of L. edodes is explored for enhanced nutritional and therapeutic value.
• Understanding selenium speciation and bioactivity is crucial for functional food development.

Purpose of the Study:

• To enrich L. edodes with selenium.
• To quantify total selenium and its species within the mushroom.
• To evaluate the in vivo antidiabetic activity of selenium-enriched L. edodes extracts in Wistar rats.

Main Methods:

• Wistar rats were divided into 8 groups for the experiment.
• Monitoring included general health, body weight, blood glucose, and lipid concentrations.
• Selenoprotein P1 and glutathione peroxidase 1 (GPx-1) expression levels were assessed.

Main Results:

• Highest selenium accumulation (90.4 mg Se kg-1) was found in early flushes.
• Selenomethionine (Se-Met) was the primary selenium species identified.
• Selenium-enriched extracts demonstrated antidiabetic effects, improving blood glucose regulation and pancreatic beta-cell structure in an alloxan-induced diabetes model.

Conclusions:

• Selenium enrichment of L. edodes can be monitored for quality and reproducibility.
• Selenium-enriched L. edodes extracts show promise for antidiabetic applications.
• Further studies in diverse animal models are recommended to validate these findings.