Mushroom beta glucan: potential candidate for post irradiation protection.

The in vivo radioprotective effect of a beta-glucan (BG) isolated from the mushroom Ganoderma lucidum, against radiation (RT) induced damage was investigated taking mouse survival, hematology, liver GSH (Reduced glutathione), liver Malondialdehyde (MDA) and bone marrow chromosomal aberrations as end points. Young adult swiss albino mice were whole body exposed to gamma radiation. For mouse survival study, BG was administered orally (250μg/kg body wt or 500μg/kg body wt) 15min before or 5min after 8Gy exposure.

Prevention of cisplatin induced nephrotoxicity by terpenes isolated from Ganoderma lucidum occurring in Southern Parts of India.

Investigations were carried out to determine the protective effect of terpenes isolated from the fruiting bodies of Ganoderma lucidum (Fr) P.Karst against nephrotoxicity caused by the cisplatin, in mice. Intraperitoneal administration of cisplatin (16 mg/kg body wt) resulted in significant nephrotoxicity in mice.

Polysaccharides isolated from Ganoderma lucidum occurring in Southern parts of India, protects radiation induced damages both in vitro and in vivo.

The in vivo and in vitro radioprotective property of the polysaccharides isolated from Ganoderma lucidum were determined by survival studies, induction of micronucleus in reticulocytes of mice, strand breaks in plasmid pBR322 DNA and inhibition of lipid peroxidation (TBARS assay). Polysaccharides were administered as a single dose after whole body exposure to 10Gy (60)Co γ-radiation to Swiss albino mice. At a dose of 500μg/kg body wt, the polysaccharides were most effective in protecting animals from radiation induced loss of lethality.