HEPATO-AND RENAL TOXICITY OF AQUEOUS EXTRACT OF A MUSHROOM, AMANITA VOLVATA IN MICE

Toxic effects of a mushroom, Amanita volvata, were studied in respect to biochemical and histological changes induced in the liver and kidneys of mice. The changes in biochemical parameters characteristically appeared 12 hrs after oral administration of an aqueous extract of the mushroom. The hepatic glycogen decreased markedly to 17% of the control level and a concemitant decrease in blood glucose was also observed. The activity of serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (SGOT) was elevated by 2.5-fold and the level of blood urea nitrogen (BUN) increased by 3-fold, respectively, 12 hrs after administration of the mushroom, their levels being maintained up to 24 hrs.