The Protective Effects of Ganoderma lucidum on Atherosclerosis and Acetaminophen-induced Liver Damage in Mice

• Main Authors: LING-YANG YANG, 楊令仰
• Other Authors: PEN-HO YEH
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2002
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/90291087453453983734

碩士 === 國立陽明大學 === 藥理學研究所 === 90 === Ganoderma lucidum, also called Lingzhi, is a mushroom with diverse pharmacological effects. Despite numerous Ganoderma products have been studied, components responsible for biological activities remain unclear. Alcohol-soluble (AS) and alcohol-insoluble (AI) fractions of hot water extract of G. lucidum were used to assess the in vivo action of Ganoderma extract on lipid profiles and antioxidative activities in this study. ApoE-deficient mice, a well-known animal model for studying atherosclerosis, were used to study the potential role of Ganoderma extract in the formation of atherosclerotic lesion. It showed that AS and AI fractions of mycelia of G. lucidum were not effective in lowering plasma lipid levels. However, both AS and AI fractions induced catalase and manganese-superoxide dismutase activities in the liver of animals. Moreover, less atherosclerotic lesions were seen in mice with AS or AI diet. These results suggest that G. lucidum seems to have active components that could be beneficial for the prevention of atherosclerosis. Effects of Ganoderma extract on acetaminophen-induced liver damage were also examined in ICR mice. Plasma transaminase levels exhibited a drastic elevation after acetaminophen treatment. Ganoderma extract showed to ameliorate the release of transaminase from impaired hepatocytes. Hepatic injury may also cause abnormal lipid metabolism. Ganoderma powder potently decreased plasma cholesterol levels, though all Ganoderma extracts seemed to have no influence on liver antioxidant enzymes. AI fraction of culture media and Ganoderma powder significantly reduced necrotic area. These results suggest that G. lucidum has different bioactive components in the protection of liver damage. AS and AI fractions were analyzed by thin-layer and anion-exchange chromatography. Results showed that AS fraction of fruiting bodies of G. lucidum contained triterpenoids while mycelia and culture media had polysaccharides.