Fungal beta glucan protects radiation induced DNA damage in human lymphocytes.

BACKGROUND: Ganoderma lucidum (Ling Zhi), a basidiomycete white rot macrofungus has been used extensively for therapeutic use in China, Japan, Korea and other Asian countries for 2,000 years. The present study is an attempt to investigate its DNA protecting property in human lymphocytes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Beta glucan (BG) was isolated by standard procedure and the structure and composition were studied by infrared radiation (IR) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, gel filtration chromatography and paper chromatography. The radioprotective properties of BG isolated from the macro fungi Ganoderma lucidum was assessed by single cell gel electrophoresis (comet assay). Human lymphocytes were exposed to 0, 1, 2 and 4 Gy gamma radiation in the presence and absence of BG. RESULTS: The comet parameters were reduced by BG. The results indicate that the BG of G. lucidum possessed significant radioprotective activity with DNA repairing ability and antioxidant activity as the suggestive mechanism. CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest the potential use of this mushroom for the prevention of radiation induced cellular damages.

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. For other parameters BG was given orally 5min after 4Gy exposure. The radioprotective effect of BG was compared with that of clinically used radioprotective drug amifostine (WR-2721), at 300mg/kg body wt administered intraperitoneally, 30min before irradiation. BG (500µg/kg body wt) produced (66%) mouse survival at 30 days given post irradiation, and 83% survived at 30 days with 300mg/kg body wt of amifostine administered before RT while RT alone produced 100% mortality. BG is not toxic at the radioprotective dose. Significant reduction in number of aberrant cells and different types of aberration was observed in both BG and amifostine administered groups compared to radiation alone treated group. BG seems to have potential for use in protection against unplanned radiation exposures.

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. Serum urea, creatinine and ALP levels were drastically elevated indicating severe nephrotoxicity . The renal antioxidant defense system such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and concentration of reduced glutathione (GSH) were depleted by cisplatin injection. The oral administration of terpenes at a dose of 100mg/kg body weight prevented increase in urea, creatinine levels and ALP activity and also maintained the renal antioxidant defense. The Ganoderma terpenes also imparted protection against cisplatin induced renal tissue lipid peroxidation. The results indicated that the total terpenes isolated from G. lucidum possessed significant in vivo antioxidant activity and rendered protection against cisplatin induced nephrotoxicity. The results suggest the potential therapeutic use of Ganoderma terpenes to prevent nephrotoxicity caused during chemotherapy using cisplatin.

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. Administration of 500µg/kg body wt to animal exposed to 10Gy gamma radiation resulted in more than 60% survival on the 30th day compared to the dose of 300mg/kg/body wt administration of amifostine, a clinically used radioprotective drug. The induction of micronuclei was reduced by the administration of polysaccharides. The decrease in micronuclei induction was dose dependent. Thus following 4Gy exposure the micronuclei in polychromatic erythrocytes (MNCE) was reduced from 28.16±3.049 to 16.0243±2.074 and 6.30±2.422 by polysaccharides at doses of 250µg/kg body wt and 500µg/kg body wt, respectively, and to 10.4±2.581 by amifostine at a dose of 300mg/kg body wt. The results indicate the significant protective effect of Ganoderma polysaccharides against radiation induced damages. The findings thus suggest the potential use of Ganoderma polysaccharides as novel radioprotective agent.