Abstract
ObjectiveThis study was set up to review the phytochemistry of Ganoderma applanatum, its potentiality in nanotechological engineering for clinical use as well as impact of aqueous extracts of Ganoderma applanatum on laboratoery rats infected with Trypanosoma brucei brucei. MethodsAqueous extracts of Ganoderma applanatum were obtained using hot sterile distilled water and whatmann filter paper. The presence of saponins, alkaloids, tannins, anthraquinones, flavonoids, cardiac glycosides and steroids were tested using standard procedures. Acqueous extracts were also inoculated into laboratory rats infected with Trypanosoma brucei brucei along with both positive and negative controls. Blood samples were collected daily, stained with Giemsa's stain and examined for the presence of parasites. ResultsGanoderma applanatum aqueous extracts contained detectable levels of saponins, flavonoids, cardiac glycosides and steroids but undetectable levels of alkaloids, tannins and anthraquinone. All the infected rats died by day 12 from overwhelming trypanosomal infections. ConclusionThe biochemical constituents of Ganoderma species should be subjected to nanotechnological engineering in order to probably discover more of its wider therapeutic benefits, and to further disprove its suitability or otherwise in the treatment of African sleeping sickness.
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