Studies on Inorganic Composition and Immunopotentiating Activity of Ganoderma lucidum in Korea

한국산(韓國産) 영지(靈芝)의 무기(無機) 성분(成分) 및 면역(免疫) 증강(增强) 작용(作用)에 관한 연구(硏究)

To determine contents of inorganic elements of Ganoderma lucidum, the horn-shaped carpophores and the pileus of Ganoderma lucidum were incinerated and analyzed by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrophotometry. The ash contents of the pileus and the horn-shaped carpophore were 1.48% and 1.40%, respectively. The pileus contained calcium, magnesium, sodium, manganese, iron, zinc and germanium in that order. The horn-shaped carpophore contained magnesium, calcium, zinc, manganese, iron, copper and germanium in that order. To examine the protein-bound polysaccharide from Ganoderma lucidum for immunopotentiating activity, its fruit bodies were extracted with hot water. Purification of the extract was carried out by acetone precipitation and dialysis. The fraction obtained during the purification procedure consisted of a polysaccharide moiety (51%) and a protein moiety (5%). When the compound was administered intraperitoneally to the mice at a dose of 50mg/kg, it enhanced the accumulation of the peritoneal exudate cells, macrophage and polymorphonuclear leucocytes, thereby indicating immunopotentiation.