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The mushroom Agaricus Blazei Murill in combination with metformin and gliclazide improves insulin resistance in type 2 diabetes: a randomized, double-blinded, and placebo-controlled clinical trial.

  • 2007-01
  • Journal of alternative and complementary medicine (New York, N.Y.) 13(1)
    • Chung-Hua Hsu
    • Yang-Li Liao
    • Su-Ching Lin
    • Kung-Chang Hwang
    • Pesus Chou

Study Design

Type
Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT)
Sample size
n = 72
Population
72 Chinese adults with type 2 diabetes for >1 year, on gliclazide and metformin
Methods
Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial; 1500 mg/day ABM extract or placebo for 12 weeks
Blinding
Double-blind
Duration
12 weeks
Funding
Unclear

Background

Complementary and alternative medicine use in adults with type 2 diabetes is popular. Although most of the herbs and supplements appear to be safe, there is still insufficient evidence that demonstrates their definitive beneficial effects. This study was done to determine whether the supplement of Agaricus blazei Murill extract improves insulin resistance in type 2 diabetes.

Materials and methods

This study was a clinical randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Of a population of 536 registered diabetes patients with 72 subjects (1) aged between 20 and 75 years, (2) being Chinese, (3) having type 2 diabetes for more than 1 year, and (4) having been taking gliclazide and metformin for more than 6 months were enrolled in this study. The enrolled patients were randomly assigned to either receiving supplement of Agaricus blazei Murill (ABM) extract or placebo (cellulose) 1500 mg daily for 12 weeks. Homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) was used as the major outcome measurement.

Results

At the end of the study, subjects who received supplement of ABM extract (n = 29) showed significantly lower HOMA-IR index (3.6[standard deviation, 2.5] versus 6.6[standard deviation, 7.4], p = 0.04) than the control group (n = 31). The plasma adiponectin concentration increased 20.0(standard deviation, 40.7)% in the ABM group after 12 weeks of treatment, but decreased 12.0(20.0)% among those taking the placebo (p < 0.001).

Conclusions

Supplement of ABM extract improves insulin resistance among subjects with type 2 diabetes. The increase in adiponectin concentration after taking AMB extract for 12 weeks might be the mechanism that brings the beneficial effect. Studies with longer periods of follow-up should be conducted in the future.

Research Insights

  • Agaricus→Improved Insulin Sensitivity

    subjects who received supplement of ABM extract (n = 29) showed significantly lower HOMA-IR index (3.6[standard deviation, 2.5] versus 6.6[standard deviation, 7.4], p = 0.04)

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Large
    Dose
    1500 mg daily
  • Agaricus→Increased Adiponectin Levels

    The plasma adiponectin concentration increased 20.0(standard deviation, 40.7)% in the ABM group after 12 weeks of treatment, but decreased 12.0(20.0)% among those taking the placebo (p < 0.001)

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Moderate
    Dose
    1500 mg daily
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