Evaluation of natural polysaccharides from edible mushrooms for the treatment of male testicular injury caused by X‐ray

Radiation exposure can lead to reproductive damage (RD), for which there is currently no effective treatment. Natural compounds, particularly fungal polysaccharides, have shown promising therapeutic potential for RD. Due to limited availability of effective polysaccharides, research has turned to alternative sources from edible mushrooms. This study evaluated polysaccharides from Pleurotus eryngii, Agaricus bisporus, Coprinus comatus, and Pleurotus citrinopileatus for their effects on male mice subjected to X-ray radiation. Histological analysis demonstrated significant damage to testicular tissue following X-ray exposure, alongside altered antioxidant markers, such as malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px). Blood tests revealed mild leukopenia, erythropenia, and thrombocytopenia. Notably, the positive control groups treated with A. bisporus polysaccharides (ABPs) and Pleurotus eryngii polysaccharides showed increased SOD and GSH-Px levels by 46.5% and 7.3%, and 15.9% and 10.1%, respectively, compared to the untreated group. MDA levels were reduced by 62.4% with ABP and by 32.1% with Coprinus comatus polysaccharides. ABPs were the most effective, significantly enhancing WBC, RBC, hemoglobin, and platelets by 58.3%, 8.9%, 30.6%, and 24.6%, respectively. These findings highlight the potential of polysaccharides from edible fungi as natural therapeutic agents for mitigating radiation-induced reproductive damage. Future research on such compounds may pave the way for effective RD treatments.