Fungi Produce Compounds that Help Manage Diabetes

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Fungi are a medical treasure. They produce a wide range of compounds that have significant therapeutic potential. Take penicillin for example, an antibiotic isolated from Penicillium that has been saving lives for centuries. Or the fact that fungi provide us with immunosuppressants, like cyclosporine, to help prevent organ rejection in patients receiving organ transplants. Statins, which are a class of drugs that help lower cholesterol, are also derived from fungi. But it doesn’t stop there! Recent research has been exploring the potential role of fungal compounds in treating a widespread growing health concern – diabetes.

According to the International Diabetes Federation, diabetes affects 10.5% of individuals globally. A major challenge for those living with diabetes is managing blood glucose levels after a meal. A key factor contributing to this challenge is the enzyme α-glucosidase, which is an enzyme found in the small intestine that breaks down polysaccharides (i.e. complex carbohydrates) into simple sugars, like glucose, which are absorbed into the bloodstream. This process is essential for making energy in healthy and diabetic individuals but can also lead to rapid increases in blood glucose levels (i.e. spike) that are challenging to manage in people with diabetes.

A class of drugs called α-glucosidase inhibitors, which inhibit the enzymatic activity of α-glucosidase, are used to help regulate post-meal glucose spikes in patients with diabetes. These inhibitors help slow down carbohydrate digestion, and therefore, lead to a more gradual increase in blood sugar levels after eating. Currently, several α-glucosidase inhibitors, like Acarbose and Miglitol, are effective at reducing blood glucose spikes; however, these drugs have their downside. They commonly have side effects such as gastrointestinal discomfort, diarrhea, bloating, and flatulence due to altering carbohydrate digestion. Given these side effects, there is interest in exploring other alternatives that can provide the benefits without these negative consequences.

In step endophytic fungi! Endophytic fungi are a type of fungus that lives inside plants, often without causing them harm in a symbiotic relationship. These fungi produce a variety of metabolites – some in which have α-glucosidase inhibitory properties. Importantly, these fungal derived compounds tend to have less side effects than the conventional inhibitors. One of the main types of compounds are phenolic compounds, which are also known for their antioxidant properties. Phenolic compound’s ability to inhibit α-glucosidase with little to no side effects are making them a promising therapeutic alternative for managing blood glucose levels.

For future research, scientists will have to continue to explore fungi and their metabolites to unlock their potential in revolutionizing the way we manage diabetes [like in this recent study]. Future studies will need to focus on isolating and characterizing specific fungal species that produce these compounds in reasonable quantities and greater potency and/or focus on enhancing synthesizing them using biotechnology. In the end, α-glucosidase inhibitors from fungi reveal yet another incredible way in which fungi can enhance our lives and our health!