Background and purpose: Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disorder caused by deficiency of insulin secretion (type I) or dysfunction of insulin (Type II). Investigating the efficacy of natural compounds in treatment of various diseases such as diabetes could be so useful. So, we studied the anti-diabetic effects of methanol extract of Trametes versicolor on male mice.

Materials and methods: T. versicolor was collected from jungles of Neka (Mazandaran, Iran) and extracted with methanol. Thirty male mice were randomly divided into 6 groups (n=5 per group) as following: group I: nonediabitic (normal), group II, III, and IV were diabetic groups that received T. versicolor extract at 500, 1000, and 1500 mg/kg. Group V and VI were also diabetic groups that received 6 U/Kg insulin (Biphasic Isophane) and 0.9% normal saline, respectively. Diabetes was induced by intraperitoneal administration of streptozotocin (50 mg/kg body weight). Blood samples were taken 24 hr after the last injection. After centrifugation, the serum was isolated for measuring the levels of glucose, ALT, AST, ALP, cholesterol, triglycerides, BUN, creatinine, and HDL. Homogenized liver tissue (0.1 g) were also prepared for histological examination.

Results: Compared with the control group, significant reductions were seen in serum glucose, triglycerides and ALT levels in treatment groups receiving the methanolic extract of T. versicolor (P<0.05). Moreover, pathology studies showed lower destruction of liver tissue in these groups. 

Conclusion: The results showed that the methanol extract of T. versicolor might be effective in prevention of diabetes and have a protective effect on liver tissue.