Antihyperglycemic activity of Ophiocordyceps sinensis: A Review

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus, one of the non-communicable diseases, is still the seriously problem due to leading the causes of death in the developed countries. Therefore it is important to identify novel nutraceuticals or drugs for curing or preventing diabetes because the existing synthetic drugs have several limitations. Traditional medicinal plants and medicinal mushrooms are used in the treatment of diabetes mellitus more than century, but only a few of these have proofed their safe and efficacy. Aim of this review article is focused Ophiocordyceps sinensis one of the edible and medicinal mushrooms used for therapeutic effects and antioxidant activities. It contains several kinds of polysaccharides, proteins, nitrogen compounds, fatty acids, phenolic acids, and isoflavones. Many researches have evaluated that these phytochemical substances have the major impact on diabetes mellitus. This review focuses on the antihyperglycemic activity of this mushroom and clears that it has the potential to be considered as a candidate for preparing the new treatment of diabetes mellitus.