RESUMO
Aim To investigate the effects of lipophilic fraction of Ganoderma lucidum on PC12 differentiation. Methods Rat PC12 cells were cultured in DMEM medium. Differentiation of PC12 cells was evaluated by monitoring neurite outgrouth of PC12 cells with phase-contrast microscopy after treatment with lipophilic extracts of Ganoderma lucidum or it's effective component B_2. Expression of neuronal marker,microtubule-associated protein-2,was determined with immonofluorescence and western blot analysis. Results Lipophilic extracts of Ganoderma at the concentrations between 125 and 500 mg?L -1 induced neurite outgrowth of PC12 cells in a dose-dependent manner. Nearly all cells showed morphological differentiation in response to lipophilic extracts of Ganoderma. Lipophilic extracts of Ganoderma also potentiated NGF-induced differenti-ation of PC12 cells. Lipophilic extracts of Ganoderma increased the expression of MAP-2. Conclusion Lipophilic extracts of Ganoderma lucidum can induce differentiation of PC12 cells and potentiate NGFs actions.