Pharmacological activity of the Ethanolic extract of Lingzhi to the Immune system

Abstract

The immune system is a defense system of the human body that has a function to protect humans from foreign. One of the indicators of an increased immune system is an increase in the number and type of the leukocyte cell (lymphocytes and monocyte) and lymph weight. In Indonesia, many natural ingredients can be used as an alternative medicine to maintain the immune system, including the Lingzhi mushroom (Ganoderma lucidum). The purpose of this study was to determine the pharmacological activity of Lingzi mushroom extract on the number and type of leukocytes (lymphocytes and monocyte) as well as spleen weight in white male swiss webster mice. The method of this research is an experimental laboratory with a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) using a post-test control group design. The sample population taken was 25 mice divided into five groups including negative, positive, test 1 (5.6mg/20g BW of mice), test 2 (11.2mg/20g BW of mice), test 3 (16.8 mg/20 g BW of mice). Each group consists of 5mice. The data collection was obtained from the result of the cell count, leukocyte cell count, and lymph weight in mice which was carried out after the treatment with lingzhi mushroom extract for 6 days. The results showed that a test 2 (11.2mg/20g BW in mice) was effective to increase the number of a leukocyte, test 3 (16.8mg/20gr BW of mice) was effective to increase leukocyte, lymphocytes and lymph weight. However, test 1, 2, and 3 reduced amount of neutrophil segment. Lingzhi mushroom extract test 3 showed better than other groups due to increase of leukocyte, monocyte, lymphocyte and lymph.