HE, HUI; HE, JU-PING; SUI, YU-JIE; ZHOU, SHI-QI; WANG, JIN

Journal of Food Biochemistry, Volume 32, Number 5, October 2008 , pp. 628-641(14)

Ganoderma lucidum, a traditional Chinese medicinal mushroom, has been widely used for the treatment of chronic hepatopathy of various etiologies. Our previous study showed that peptides isolated from G. lucidum (GLP) possessed potent free radical-scavenging capacities. Here, we evaluated the hepatoprotective effects of GLP, using mice with CCl₄-induced liver injuries. Results showed that the serum aminotransferase (ALT/AST) activities and numbers of necrotic and pathological hepatocytes were reduced in a dose-dependent manner in GLP-treated groups. At the dose of 260 mg/kg·bw GLP, the serum malondialdehyde, ALT and AST were statistically significant different to that of positive control groups (P?<?0.05). CCl₄-induced liver damage was largely prevented as suggested by histopathological examination. In conclusion, our study for the first time demonstrated that GLP showed preventive effects against CCl₄-induced liver damage in mice, suggesting that GLP also plays a role for the hepatoprotective effects of G. lucidum extracts. PRACTICAL APPLICATION

Liver is one of the major organs actively involved in metabolic functions and frequently targeted by toxicants. Hepatitis is a severe disease with the highest incidence rate around the world. Thus, interest in liver protection drugs has never been higher. Ganoderma lucidum, a traditional Chinese medicinal mushroom, has been widely used for the treatment of chronic hepatopathy of various etiologies with little or no side effects. A group of peptides from G. lucidum (GLP) was isolated with potent free radical-scavenging capacities and immune system regulation ability. In general, GLP could be used as a tonic for health, energy and longevity. GLP could be manufactured into various forms, such as powder, tinctures, tablet, capsule and syrup. The future applications of GLP would be mostly as a medicine, supplement or functional foods.

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