Ganoderma lucidum ethanol extract promotes weight loss and improves depressive-like behaviors in male and female Swiss mice.

Metabolic and mood-related disturbances can increase the risks of developing adverse mental health problems. The medicinal mushroom, Ganoderma lucidum, is utilized in indigenous medicine to improve quality of life, promote health, and boost vitality. This study investigated the effects of Ganoderma lucidum ethanol extract (EEGL) on feeding behavioral parameters, depressive-like symptoms, and motor activity in Swiss mice. We hypothesized that EEGL would have beneficial effect on metabolic and behavioral outcomes in a dose-related manner. The mushroom was identified and authenticated via techniques of molecular biology. Forty Swiss mice (n = 10/group) of either sex were given distilled water (10 mL/kg) and graded doses of EEGL (100, 200, and 400 mg/kg) orally for 30 days, during which feed and water intake, body weight, neurobehavioral, and safety data were documented. The animals experienced a significant decrease in body weight gain and feed intake while water intake increased in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, EEGL significantly diminished immobility time in forced swim test (FST) and tail suspension test (TST). At the 100 and 200 mg/kg, EEGL did not cause significant alteration in motor activity in the open field test (OFT). Meanwhile, an increase in motor activity in male mice without remarkable difference in female mice was observed at the highest dose (400 mg/kg). Eighty percent of mice treated with 400 mg/kg survived till day 30. These findings suggest that EEGL at 100 and 200 mg/kg reduces the amount of weight gained and elicits antidepressant-like effects. Thus, EEGL might be useful for the management of obesity and depressive-like symptoms.

A pharmacobotanical study of two medicinal species of Fabaceae.

OBJECTIVE: To carry out a pharmacobotanical study of Lonchocarpus cyanescens (Schum & Thonn) Benth (L. cyanescens) and Leptoderris micrantha Dunn (L. micrantha) which are two key medicinal plants from the family Fabaceae. METHODS: The epidermal peel was obtained by soaking the leaf in concentrated nitric acid (HNO3) in a petri dish. Both surfaces were carefully mounted on clean glass slides and dehydrated by ethyl alcohol, and stained with safaranin O for 2 min. Transverse sections of plant leaf were obtained by free hand sectioning. Phytochemical screening for various constituents was carried out on the powdered leaves. Other parameters such as, moisture content, ash value, acid insoluble ash, water-soluble ash, water and alcohol extractive values were obtained by standard techniques. RESULTS: THE DISTINCTIVE FEATURES OF THE SPECIES INCLUDE: the presence of stomata on both surfaces of L. cyanescens and the absence in L. micrantha. Presence of larger epidermal cells in both upper and lower surfaces of L. cyanescens [(35.25±1.64)×(31.25±2.36), (43.0±2.63)×(39.5±5.11)] respectively compared to L. micrantha. Glandular multicellular trichomes are present in L. micrantha but absent in L. cyanescens. Numerous trichomes surround the transverse section of the leaf of L. micrantha but absent in L. cyanescens. Preliminary phytochemical screening showed that both species contain secondary metabolites such as alkaloids, anthraquinones, cardiac glycosides, tannins, saponins, steroids and flavonoids. CONCLUSIONS: The microscopic and phytochemical data provided in this study are useful for the standardization of the medicinal plants.