Effects Of Ganoderma Lucidum Extract Research Articles

Assessment of redox homeostasis via genotoxicity, cytotoxicity, apoptosis and NRF-2 in colorectal cancer cell lines after treatment with Ganoderma lucidum extract

This study aimed to investigate the cytotoxic and apoptotic effects of Ganoderma lucidum, Pleurotus ostreatus, Pleurotus eryngii, and Inonotus hispidus fungal extracts on HT-29 and HCT-116 colorectal cancer cell lines and to search the DNA damage and oxidative stress caused by these extracts. Accordingly, mushroom extracts were applied to colorectal cancer cell lines in vitro, and the IC50 result was obtained with the MTT test. According to the IC50 result, Ganoderma lucidum extract had the most effective cytotoxicity value among all used mushroom extracts. TAS, TOS, and NRF-2 tests were used to investigate the molecular effect of Ganoderma lucidum extract on oxidative stress; the DNA ladder test was performed to assess DNA damage, the Scratch assay method was applied for cell migration analysis, and the colony assay was used to determine the colony formation potential of the cells. The results showed that Ganoderma lucidum mushroom extract reduces cell proliferation, colony formation, and NRF-2, induces DNA damage, slows cell migration, and increases oxidative stress. This study shows that Ganoderma lucidum mushroom extract reduces cell proliferation through damaging cellular DNA and has a cytotoxic effect in colorectal cancer cell lines.

LB1680 Effects of ganoderma lucidum extract and its active component, ganoderic acid A on hair loss prevention

LB1680 Effects of ganoderma lucidum extract and its active component, ganoderic acid A on hair loss prevention

Ganoderma lucidum ethanolic extract for the treatment of androgenic alopecia in rats with testosterone-induced Baldness.

Background: Alopecia is a widespread hair loss condition affecting numerous individuals worldwide. This study aims to investigate the potential hair growth-promoting properties of a preparation containing an ethanolic extract of Ganoderma lucidum and its primary components in a model of testosterone-induced alopecia. Aim: The objective of this research is to assess the effects of Ganoderma lucidum extract on hair regeneration using a testosterone-induced alopecia model. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted using five groups of rats: negative control group (n = 6), positive control group (n = 6), testosterone plus minoxidil 2% (n = 6), testosterone and ethanolic extract of Ganoderma lucidum extract (10 mg/kg) (n = 6), and testosterone and ethanolic extract of Ganoderma lucidum extract (15 mg/kg). To induce alopecia, subcutaneous testosterone (1 mg/kg SC) was administered daily to all groups except the negative control group for 21 consecutive days. After 21 days, Anagen/telogen (A/T) ratio and the number of follicles were measured and recorded. Results: The standard group, treated with minoxidil 2%, showed a higher anagen/telogen (A/T) ratio, follicular density, and hair length compared to the positive control group. The groups treated with ethanolic extract of Ganoderma lucidum at 10mg/kg and 15mg/kg displayed increased anagen/telogen ratio and improved hair follicle quantity and morphology compared to the positive control group. Furthermore, the group treated with 15mg/kg of the extract showed more favorable outcomes compared to the 10mg/kg group. These results were comparable to the effects of the commonly prescribed drug, Minoxidil 2%, used to promote hair growth in individuals with androgenetic alopecia. Conclusion: The preparation containing an ethanolic extract of Ganoderma lucidum, especially at a concentration of 15mg/kg, demonstrated significant hair growth-promoting effects in the testosterone-induced alopecia model. Our findings suggest the potential of Ganoderma lucidum extract as a possible treatment for alopecia and merit further exploration for therapeutic applications.

Protective Effect of Ganoderma Lucidum Extract in Contrast Agent Induced Renal Toxicity

Protective Effect of Ganoderma Lucidum Extract in Contrast Agent Induced Renal Toxicity

Ganoderma Lucidum Extract Regulates Gut Morphology and Microbial Community in Lipopolysaccharide-Challenged Broilers

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of Ganoderma lucidum extract (GLE) on the gut morphology and cecal microbial community of broilers challenged with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). 144 one-day-old unsexed broiler chicks were randomly distributed into four treatments: non-challenged broilers fed a basal diet; LPS-challenged broilers fed a basal diet; LPS challenged broilers fed a basal diet supplemented with 1 mL/L of GLE in the drinking water; and LPS challenged broilers fed a basal diet supplemented with 1.33 mL/L of GLE in the drinking water. Results showed that supplementationwith1.33 mL/L of GLE alleviated intestinal inflammatory gene expression in LPS-challenged broilers (p≤0.05). Supplementation of GLE (1 and 1.33 mL/L) increased the villus height in the jejunum and ileum of LPS-challenged broilers (p≤0.001). Weighted principal coordinate analysis, heat map of species abundance, and microbial function pathway revealed distinct separation between the groups treated with LPS only and LPS in combination with GLE supplementation (1 and 1.33 mL/L). The abundance of the genus Faecalibacterium was increased in the cecal digesta of LPS-challenged broilers receiving GLE(1 and 1.33 mL/L) compared with the LPS challenge-only group (p≤0.001). The growth performance parameter of broilers was positively associated with the abundance of the genus Faecalibacterium in the cecal digesta. In conclusion, GLE supplementation could modulate gut morphology and cecal microbiota composition of broilers under inflammatory challenge.

The association between testicular toxicity induced by Li2Co3 and protective effect of Ganoderma lucidum: Alteration of Bax & c-Kit genes expression

Ganoderma lucidum has received a lot of attention recently due to its medicinal potential activities. The aim of this designed experiment was to evaluate the beneficial effects of Ganoderma lucidum extract against lithium carbonate induced testicular toxicity and related lesions in mice testis. For this purpose, lithium carbonate at a dose of 30 mg/kg, followed by 75, 150 mg/kg Ganoderma lucidum extract orally were administered for 35 days. The results were obtained from Ganoderma lucidum extract analysis prove contained a large amount of polysaccharides, triterpenoids and poly phenols based on spectrophotometric assay. Also, DPPH assay for Ganoderma lucidum extract showed high level of radical scavenging activity. The hematoxylin & eosin cross section from lithium carbonate treated group exhibited significant alterations in seminiferous tubules. Moreover, lithium carbonate induced oxidative stress via lipid peroxidation and generate MDA (P < 0.001). In addition, lithium carbonate initiated germ cells apoptosis via increase Bax expression (p < 0.001) and reduce germ cells differentiation through down-regulation of c-Kit expression (p < 0.05). Results from CASA showed that sperm parameters like count, motility and viability significantly decreased in lithium treated group (p < 0.001). It is clear that lithium carbonate induce severe damage on male reproductive system and histopathological damages via generation oxidative stress but supplementation with Ganoderma lucidum extract exhibited prevention effects and repaired induced damages.

Effects of Ganoderma Lucidum Extract on Morphine-Induced Addiction and Memory Impairment in Mice

Ganoderma lucidum extract (Lingzhi) has been used so far with various pharmacological effects. However, the reports on its effects on drug addiction, especially morphine, and morphine-induced memory impairment in vivo, remain limited. In the present study, the effect of G. lucidum extracts on preventing morphine addiction was evaluated by the conditioned place preference model. The extract's learning and memory improvement activities on morphine-induced memory loss were examined using Y maze, novel recognition, and Morris water maze tests. The results found that G. lucidum extracts at doses of 200-400 mg/kg decreased conditioned place preference score and increased the percentage of alteration, novel object exploration, and prolongation of locating hidden platform. With these doses, G. lucidum extracts prevented morphine addiction and improved short-term memory, visual memory, and long-term memory impairment caused by morphine. Our results first demonstrated that G. lucidum extracts promised as an effective natural source in treating drug addiction and morphine-induced memory loss.

Effect of Ganoderma lucidum extract on growth performance, fecal microbiota, and bursal transcriptome of broilers

This study investigated the effects of Ganoderma lucidum extract on the growth performance, fecal microbiome, and bursal transcriptome of broilers. A total of 60 one-day-old Ross 308 male broiler chicks were randomly assigned into 2 dietary treatments with 5 replicate cages per treatment and 6 birds per cage. The dietary treatments consisted of a basal diet as control and a diet of control plus 1 g/L G. lucidum extract in drinking water. G. lucidum extract was supplied on days 14 through 16, 21 through 23, and 28 through 30. No significant difference was observed in growth performance in broilers after feeding with G. lucidum extract. G. lucidum extract treatment improved (P < 0.05) the morphology of the small intestine in broilers at 35 days of age. The abundance of genus Lactobacillus in feces increased (P < 0.05) in broilers fed G. lucidum extract, whereas the abundance of genus Ruminococcus torques group in feces was decreased (P < 0.05) in response to G. lucidum extract treatment. G. lucidum extracts increased (P < 0.05) the antibody titer to Newcastle disease virus in broilers at 21 days of age. Furthermore, inflammation-associated gene expression decreased (P < 0.05) in the small intestine of G. lucidum extract–fed broilers at 35 days of age, whereas gut antioxidation and barrier integrity–associated gene expression increased (P < 0.05). Transcriptomic analysis demonstrated that 2085 genes were differentially expressed in the bursa of Fabricius and that 1114 genes were upregulated and 974 genes downregulated in response to G. lucidum extract stimulation. G. lucidum extract positively regulated (P < 0.05) T cell receptor signaling pathways in the bursa of Fabricius of broilers. These results demonstrate that G. lucidum extract can improve intestinal morphology, gut microbiota, and immunity in broilers.

Pharmacological effects of Ganoderma lucidum extract against high-altitude stressors and its subchronic toxicity assessment.

Acclimatization is a major pathophysiological concern during ascent to high altitude and may cause mortality in unacclimatized individuals. Absence of target drugs, especially prophylactics, emphasizes the need for development of herbal agents. Present study revealed that animals pre-administered with aqueous extract of Ganoderma lucidum (GLAQ) dose dependently (50, 100, 200mg/kg) delayed onset of convulsion following severe hypoxia (SH) and restored rectal temperature post-cold restraint (CR) and hypobaric hypoxia (HBH). The compromised antioxidant status (MDA, GSH, SOD, GPx), biochemical (ALT, AST, glucose, triglycerides, cholesterol, urea), and hematological parameters (red blood cells, white blood cells) were ameliorated with GLAQ treatment. Further, extract modulated inflammatory and thermogenic response by attenuating pro-inflammatory cytokines (NFĸB, TNFα, IL6) and restoring UCP1, SIRT1, respectively. Notably, extract did not produce any noxious effects subchronically in rats of both sexes with GLAQ administered at 100, 500, and 1,000mg/kg in a single dose/day for 90days, deeming it fit for therapeutic purpose. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: GLAQ exhibited better efficacy compared to internal control (gallic acid) suggest that array of bioactive compounds in extract might contribute toward efficacy. Further, antistress properties of GLAQ against multiple stressors including SH, CR, and HBH demonstrate its therapeutic potential for inducing rapid acclimatization and preventing mountain sickness. Conclusively, the present study based on Ganoderma lucidum extract intents to fill the lacunae behind development of nontoxic therapeutic agent for controlling high altitude-related maladies.

Effects of Ganoderma lucidum Extract on Diabetic Rats

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a metabolic syndrome which occurs when insulin is insufficiently produced or insulin cannot well serve its function. Diabetes is marked with increase in blood glucose level followed by increase in glycosylated hemoglobin level and decrease in insulin level. This research aims to examining the effect of Ganoderma lucidum extract on the blood glucose, insulin and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) level of diabetic white rat and determining the most effective dose of extract to be a diabetic agent. This research was experimentally conducted by employing Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with 6 treatments and 4 repetitions. The treatment groups consisted of healthy rats group (K1), rats with diabetes as negative control (K2), diabetic rats with the administration of metformin 45 mg/kg BW as the comparison (K3) and diabetic rats with the administration of G. lucidum extract with dose of 250, 500 and 1000 mg /kg BW (K4, K5 and K6 respectively). Blood glucose level examination was conducted after the alloxan induction with single dose of 125 mg/kg BW by intraperitoneal injection. The results show that mushroom G. lucidum extract administration with dose of 1000 mg/kg BW (K6) is the best dose to be an anti-diabetic agent. The benefit of the research is developing anti-diabetic agent from herbal resources.

The effect of Ganoderma lucidum extract on immunological function and identify its anti-tumor immunostimulatory activity based on the biological network

Ganoderma lucidum extract (GLE) has shown positive effects for tumor treatment. However, the molecular mechanism of GLE treatment is unknown. In this study, a Hepa1-6-bearing C57 BL/6 mouse model was established to explore the anti-tumor and immunostimulatory activity of GLE treatment. The results showed that GLE effectively inhibited tumor growth without hepatic/renal toxicity and bone marrow suppression, and might enhancing immunological function. Based on the mRNA profiles of GLE treated and untreated mice, 302 differentially expressed (DE) mRNAs were identified and 6 kernel mRNAs were identified from the established protein-protein interaction (PPI) network. Quantitative RT-PCR and western-blot analysis indicated that 6 mRNAs have had statistically significant differences between the GLE treated and untreated mice. Furthermore, four kernel pathways were isolated from the KEGG-Target network, including the Jak-STAT signaling pathway, T cell receptor signaling pathway, PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, and cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction. Western-blot and cytokine detection results demonstrated that GLE suppressed growth and proliferation of tumors by the Jak-STAT signaling pathway, T cell receptor signaling pathway and PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, but also regulated the expression levels of serum immune cytokines and improved the anti-tumor immunostimulatory activity.

Abstract A17: Ganoderma lucidum inhibits the DNA damage response in combination with carboplatin in breast cancer cells

Abstract Management of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is challenging because of a lack of targeted therapy, aggressive behavior, and poor prognosis. Interest in using platinum agents, such as carboplatin, as a line of treatment emerged from data suggesting frequent DNA repair defects in TNBC. Carboplatin resistance may occur due to multiple factors including increased activation of DNA repair mechanisms. Studies show that Ganoderma lucidum extract (GLE) sensitizes cancer cells to different anticancer therapies. Thus, we aim to investigate the effects of GLE in combination with carboplatin and to elucidate its effects in the DDR signaling. To study whether GLE sensitizes breast cancer cells to carboplatin therapy, we treated SUM-149 and MDA-MB-231 triple-negative breast cancer cell lines with several concentrations of carboplatin, GLE, or both treatments simultaneously for 72h. Our results demonstrate that when carboplatin and GLE are used in combination, the IC50s decreased in both breast cancer cell lines in comparison with treatments alone. Moreover, our data revealed that GLE and/or the combination decrease the expression of 53BP1, p-CHK2, p-CHK1, p-ATR, p-ATM, and p-BRCA1 in SUM-149 and/or in MDA-MB-231 cells. In addition, the phosphorylation of the pro-apoptotic protein p53 was upregulated by the combination. Immunofluorescence studies on DNA repair proteins 53BP1 and phosphorylated γH2AX to detect DNA double-strand breaks suggest that the GLE and/or carboplatin combination impair DDR. Taken together, our results provide evidence of GLE’s potential in chemosensitizing TNBC cells to carboplatin therapy affecting the DDR. These results highlight GLE’s anti-breast cancer therapeutic potential. This work is supported by NIGMS SC3GM111171 (MMM), PRSTT SGRP 2016-2017 (MMM), NIMHD MD007583 (MMM), and Title-V-PPOHA P031M105050 and Title-V-Cooperative P031S130068 from the U.S. Dept. of Education. Note: This abstract was not presented at the conference. Citation Format: Ivette Suárez-Arroyo, Michelle Martínez-Montemayor. Ganoderma lucidum inhibits the DNA damage response in combination with carboplatin in breast cancer cells [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference: Advances in Breast Cancer Research; 2017 Oct 7-10; Hollywood, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Mol Cancer Res 2018;16(8_Suppl):Abstract nr A17.

Abstract 2815: Ganoderma lucidum chemosensitizes triple negative breast cancer to carboplatin mediated by DNA damage response

Abstract Management of triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is challenging because of a lack of targeted therapy, its aggressive behavior and poor prognosis. Interest in using platinum agents, such as carboplatin as a line of treatment emerged from data suggesting frequent DNA repair defects in TNBC. Carboplatin resistance may occur due to multiple factors including increased activation of DNA repair mechanisms. Studies show that Ganoderma lucidum extract (GLE) sensitizes cancer cells to different anti-cancer therapies. Thus, we aim to investigate the effects of GLE in combination with carboplatin in the DDR signaling and in tumorigenesis. To study whether GLE sensitizes TNBC cells to carboplatin therapy, we treated SUM-149 and MDA-MB-231 cells with several concentrations of carboplatin, GLE, or both treatments simultaneously for 72h. Our results demonstrate that when carboplatin and GLE are used in combination the IC50s decreased in both breast cancer cell lines in comparison with treatments alone. Immunobloting assays revealed that GLE and/or the combination decrease the expression of 53BP1, p-CHK2, CHK2, p-CHK1, CHK1, p-ATR, p-ATM and p-BRCA1 in SUM-149. Accordingly, immunofluorescence studies to monitor the recruitment of DNA repair proteins 53BP1 and phosphorylated γH2AX at the lesion sites after treatments suggest that the GLE and/or carboplatin combination impair DDR. To determine tumor progression, severe combined immune deficient mice were injected with SUM-149 cells and then treated with carboplatin/GLE or carboplatin for 10 weeks. The combination significantly decrease tumor volume in comparison with the vehicle. Taken together, our results provide evidence of GLE's potential in chemosensitizing TNBC cells to carboplatin therapy affecting the DDR. These results highlight GLE's anti-breast cancer therapeutic potential. Citation Format: Ivette J. Suarez-Arroyo, Michelle M. Martinez-Montemayor. Ganoderma lucidum chemosensitizes triple negative breast cancer to carboplatin mediated by DNA damage response [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2018; 2018 Apr 14-18; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2018;78(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 2815.

Abstract B12: Effect of Ganoderma lucidum on DNA damage and DNA repair in colorectal cancer cell lines

Abstract Colorectal carcinoma (CRC) is the third most common type of cancer in the world and second most common cause of cancer related deaths in Europe. Countries of Central Europe (Czech Republic, Slovakia and Hungary) have one of the highest rates both for incidence and mortality of CRC and this disease therefore possesses a serious health, social and economic problem. CRC is a complex disease that develops as consequence of environmental and health risk factors with particular involvement of suboptimal DNA repair, resulting in accumulation of DNA damage. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) represent a group of highly reactive molecules tightly controlled by cellular antioxidant system. Disturbance of the prooxidation–antioxidation homeostasis can lead to ROS accumulation and consequently to DNA damage and apoptosis. Many natural compounds possess anti-cancer activities with the generation of ROS. Cancer cells are more sensitive to oxidative DNA damage than non-malignant cells. Modulation of oxidative DNA damage and DNA repair pathways by natural compounds may lead to selective cancer cell-death and to sensitization of cancer cells to treatment. Ganoderma Lucidum (GLC) (Reishi, Ling-Zhi) is a mushroom used in Chinese medicine for thousands of years for prevention or therapy of many different disorders including cancer. The aim of our study is to define the effect of Ganoderma lucidum (GLC) extract on DNA damage and DNA repair machinery in colorectal cancer cell lines (HTC116, HCT116p53-/-, HT29, SW480). Our results showed that 6hrs GLC treatment in colorectal cancer cells (0.5µg/µl) inhibits activity of superoxid dismutase 1 (25%, p&amp;lt;0.01) and enzymatic activity of glutathione peroxidase (20%, p&amp;lt;0.01), followed by abnormal ROS accumulation (1,5-fold, p&amp;lt;0.05). Furthermore the specific oxidative DNA damage increased (10-fold, p&amp;lt;0.01) after GLC treatment, whereas the base excision DNA repair process was supressed (40%, p&amp;lt;0.001). Finally, above events resulted in cell cycle arrest (HCT116) or apoptosis (HCTp53-/-) and subsequent decrease of colorectal cancer cell survival (25%, p&amp;lt;0.05). Our results suggest that GLC extract decreases activity of the cellular antioxidant system, which leads to oxidative DNA damage and subsequently to genotoxic effects of GLC extract in colorectal cancer cell lines. These data indicate that specific oxidative DNA damage caused by natural compounds may become a potential tool for improvement of anti-cancer treatment. Acknowledgement: AMVIS LH13061 and GACR 15-14789S, AZV 15-27580A Citation Format: Alena Opattova, Andrea Cumova, Sona Vodenkova, Peter Macinga, Jozef Horak, Daniel Sliva, Pavel Vodicka. Effect of Ganoderma lucidum on DNA damage and DNA repair in colorectal cancer cell lines [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference on DNA Repair: Tumor Development and Therapeutic Response; 2016 Nov 2-5; Montreal, QC, Canada. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Mol Cancer Res 2017;15(4_Suppl):Abstract nr B12.

P-55 - Investigation of cytotoxic effects of ganoderma lucidum extract on hepatocarcinoma cell line

P-55 - Investigation of cytotoxic effects of ganoderma lucidum extract on hepatocarcinoma cell line

Cardioprotective Activity of Ganoderma lucidum Extract during Total Ischemia and Reperfusion of Isolated Heart.

The cardioprotective effects of Ganoderma lucidum extract were examined in experiments with global ischemia (45 min) and reperfusion (30 min) of isolated and perfused rat heart. The course of preventive administration of the extract in a dose of 400 mg/kg for 15 days diminished necrotic death of cardiomyocytes and reduced reperfusion contracture. Ganoderma lucidum extract demonstrated antioxidant properties. The authors believe that the cardioprotective properties of Ganoderma lucidum extract are largely determined by its antioxidant properties.

영지(靈芝) 추출물이 Rat fetus 두개골로부터 분리한 조골세포에 미치는 영향

ABSTRACT The Effects of Ganoderma lucidum Extract on Osteoblast in Rat Fetus Calvarial CellsEun-Hye Jung, Dong-Youl YooDept. of Oriental Cynecology, College of Oriental Medicine, Dae-Jeon University, Graduate School, Dae-Jeon UniversityObjectives: In this study, the author aimed to evaluate the effect of EtOH extract of Ganoderma lucidum (GLE) on osteoblast proliferation in rat fetus calvarial cells.Methods: The osteoblast separated from rat fetus calvariae was cultivated for 6~21 days and evaluated the cell function. After the addition o f GLE on the culture medium, we determined the effect of GLE on the cell viability, cell proliferation, bone matrix protein synthesis, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activ ity, collagen synthesis and calcified nodule formation of the cultivated osteoblast.Results: GLE did not change the survival rate of rat calvarial osteobla st. GLE increased the proliferation of rat calvarial osteoblast. GLE increased ALP activity of rat calvarial osteoblast. GLE increased bone matrix protein synthesis of rat calvarial osteoblast. GLE increased collagen synthesis of rat calvarial osteoblast. GLE slightly affected calcified nodule formation of rat calvarial osteoblast.Conclusions: This study suggests that Ganoderma lucidum might improve the osteoporosis resulted from augmentation of osteoblast proliferation.Key Words: Ganoderma lucidum, Osteoblast, Osteoporosis, Osteoblastogenesis, Rat Fetus Calvarial Cell

Post‐treatment of Ganoderma lucidum reduced liver fibrosis induced by thioacetamide in mice

The present study was aimed at assessing the effects of Ganoderma lucidum extract (GLE) on an established liver fibrosis model with reference to the previously reported hepatoprotective effect of GLE against CCl(4)-induced fibrosis in rats. Repeated administration of thioacetamide (TAA) for 12 weeks to mice induced liver fibrosis. Treatment with GLE after the induction of liver fibrosis decreased the hepatic hydroxyproline content and improved liver histology. RT-qPCR analysis showed that GLE treatment reduced the mRNA expression of collagen (alpha1)(I), smooth muscle alpha-actin, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 1 and metalloproteinase-13. In addition, the TAA-induced decrease in total collagenase activity was reversed by GLE treatment. In conclusion, oral administration of GLE reversed TAA-induced liver fibrosis, the mechanism of which might be related to the enhancement of collagenase activity.

Ganoderma lucidum extract stimulates glucose uptake in L6 rat skeletal muscle cells.

The effect of Ganoderma lucidum extract on glucose uptake was studied in L6 rat skeletal muscle cells. G. lucidum extract increased glucose uptake about 2-fold compared to control. The extract stimulated the activity of phosphatidylinositol (PI) 3-kinase which is a major regulatory molecule in the glucose uptake pathway. About 7-fold increased activity of a PI 3-kinase was observed after treatment with G. lucidum extract, whereas PI 3-kinase inhibitor, LY294002, blocked the G. lucidum extract-stimulated PI 3-kinase activity in L6 skeletal muscle cells. Protein kinase B, a downstream mediator of PI 3-kinase, was also activated by G. lucidum extract. We then assessed the activity of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), another regulatory molecule in the glucose uptake pathway. G. lucidum extract increased the phosphorylation level of both AMPK alpha1 and alpha2. Activity of p38 MAPK, a downstream mediator of AMPK, was also increased by G. lucidum extract. Taken together, these results suggest that G. lucidum extract may stimulate glucose uptake, through both PI 3-kinase and AMPK in L6 skeletal muscle cells thereby contributing to glucose homeostasis.

Protective effect of methanolic extract of Ganoderma lucidum P. Karst. Reishi from South India against doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity in rats

Doxorubicin is a powerful anticancer antibiotic extensively used in the treatment of several types of cancers. Long-term administration of this drug results in cumulative dose related cardiotoxicity due to enhanced production of free radicals leading to oxidative stress. Our earlier investigations have demonstrated significant antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antitumour properties of Ganoderma lucidum extracts. We extended our investigations to evaluate the protective effect of Ganoderma lucidum extract against doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity. Administration of 3 doses of doxorubicin, 6 mg/kg body weights, i.p. per each dose, alternative days, showed dear signs of cardiotoxicity in rats. The drug enhanced serum creatine kinase (CK) activity and lipid peroxidation in tissue drastically. The drug also induced significant decrease in GSH level and activities of CAT, SOD and GPx. Administration of methanolic extract of G.lucidum (500 and 1,000 mg/kg body weight) significantly increased the level of GSH and activities of CAT, SOD and GPx. Activity of CK was significantly lowered in a dose dependent manner. The treatment also caused significant decrease in lipid peroxidation (MDA). The results thus indicated that methanolic extract of G.lucidum prevented oxidative stress caused by doxorubicin administration and the increase in serum CK activity and lipid peroxidation in the tissue. The experimental findings suggest the therapeutic potential of G.lucidum as adjuvant in cancer chemotherapy.