The antioxidant potential of Lactarius deterrimus in diabetes

Abstract

Diabetes is characterized by impaired pancreatic insulin production or an insufficient cellular response to insulin. Hyperglycemia is the main cause of diabetic complications affecting vascular system, kidneys, eyes, peripheral nerves, liver and gastrointestinal system. Hyperglycemia induces overproduction of reactive oxygen species, resulting in impaired cellular function and altered cell signaling. High intracellular glucose levels activate the formation of advanced glycation end-products, the polyol pathway, the hexosamine pathway, and the protein kinase C pathway, affecting gene expression and activity of different regulator proteins. Medicinal mushrooms as source of metabolites (minerals, vitamins, polyphenols, flavonoids, terpenes, alkaloids) have been used in traditional medicine in diabetes treatment for centuries. Lactarius species exhibit a variety of biological activities, including antioxidant, antitumor, and immunostimulatory actions. In this chapter the antioxidant capacity of Lactarius deterrimus and its potential to attenuate the processes that underlie the development and progression of diabetes and diabetes-induced complications will be examined.