Hyperlipidemia is a condition where the lipid levels in the bloodstream are elevated, increasing the risk of developing diseases like fatty liver. Prescription drugs are commonly used to reduce lipid levels but these drugs are associated with harmful side effects, which is why natural alternatives are extremely important. In a study, published in BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, researchers found that polysaccharides in the mushroom Pleurotus eryngii can reduce lipid levels and protect the liver.

• Excessive intake of fatty foods is the major cause of hyperlipidemia.
• Changes in lipid levels alter the activity of antioxidant enzymes in the body, leading to oxidative stress. Damage induced by oxidative stress could progress into diseases like atherosclerosis, cerebrovascular disease, and fatty liver.
• P. eryngii is an edible mushroom that contains many bioactive compounds. The most potent among these compounds are the polysaccharides, which exhibit antioxidant, anti-aging, and anti-lipid peroxidation properties. These polysaccharides are also known for being highly stable, water-soluble, and non-toxic.
• Monosaccharides present in the polysaccharides from P. eryngii were determined.
• Antioxidant activity was evaluated based on reducing power and free radical scavenging activity.
• In vivo studies were conducted in Kunming strain mice that were given a high-fat emulsion to determine what the effects of the polysaccharides would be. In addition to this, potential toxicity was also determined.

Based on these results, the researchers were able to conclude that polysaccharides from P. eryngii exhibit potent antioxidant, antihyperlipidemic, and hepatoprotective activities.

Read the full text of the study at this link.

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Journal Reference:

Zhang C, Li J, Wang J, Song X, Zhang J, Wu S, Hu C, Gong Z, Jia L. ANTIHYPERLIPIDAEMIC AND HEPATOPROTECTIVE ACTIVITIES OF ACIDIC AND ENZYMATIC HYDROLYSIS EXOPOLYSACCHARIDES FROM PLEUROTUS ERYNGII SI-04. BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 14 August 2017;17(403). DOI: 10.1186/s12906-017-1892-z