Antioxidant and Hepatoprotective Activities of Polysaccharides from Spent Mushroom Substrates (Laetiporus sulphureus) in Acute Alcohol‐Induced Mice

In order to contribute to the exploitation and utilization of spent mushroom substrates (SMS) of Laetiporus sulphureus, hot-water-extractable polysaccharides (H-SMPS) and enzymatic-extractable polysaccharides (E-SMPS) were successfully isolated from SMS of L. sulphureus. Both H-SMPS and E-SMPS were found to have high reducing power and potential scavenging activities against hydroxyl, DPPH, and superoxide anion radicals. In vivo assays showed that the administration of H-SMPS and E-SMPS has potential hepatoprotective effects against alcohol-induced alcoholic liver disease (ALD), possibly brought about by improving liver function, increasing antioxidant status, and reducing lipid peroxidation. Furthermore, monosaccharide composition analysis showed that fucose may play a vital role in guaranteeing stronger hepatoprotection. These results may provide references for the exploitation of the SMS of L. sulphureus as a source of H-SMPS and E-SMPS, which in turn can be used as functional foods or natural drugs for the prevention of ALD and other liver diseases.