Abstract
This study was carried out to investigate the dose dependent antifibrotic effects of polysaccharide from mycelium of Ganoderma lucidum. The experimental hepatic cirrhosis was induced by bile duct ligation/scission (BDL/S) in rats. BDL/S rats in each group were dosed 0.5 mg, 2.0 mg, 5.0 mg or 10.O mg/rat/day orally for 4 weeks after the operation. Antifibrotic effects were evaluated by serum biochemical values, hydroxyproline contents, and light microscopical histology. The results obtained were as follows: 1) Hydroxyproline contents in liver of 5.0 and 10.0mg polysaccharide-treated BDL/S rats were significantly reduced 2) In serum test, ALT, AST, ALP values in polysaccharide from Ganoderma lucidum-treated group were lower than BDL/S control group 3) The hepatic damage such as hepatocellular necrosis, inflammation, bile duct proliferation and fibrosis was less severe in the livers of 2.0 mg and 5.0 mg polysaccharide-treated rats. These results suggest that polysaccharide from mycelium of Ganoderma lucidum to be a promising agent for the inhibition of hepatic cirrhosis.