Studies on characteristics and anti-diabetic and -nephritic effects of polysaccharides isolated from Paecilomyces hepiali fermentation mycelium in db/db mice.

•The polysaccharide (PHEA) is first purified from Paecilomyces hepiali mycelium.•PHEA has the sequence of →4)-α-D-Rhap-(1→6)-α-D-Glcp-(1→4)-α-D-Rhap-(1→.•PHEA has the hypoglycemic, hypolipidemic and anti-diabetic nephropathic activities.•Nrf2-meadited NF-κB signaling is involved in PHEA-mediated hyperglycemic effects.