Effects of Garnoderma lucidum on Acetaminophen-Induced Liver Injury in Wistar Rats

Introduction: Ganoderma lucidum is considered to be a medicinal mushroom, widely used to prevent or treat different types of diseases including cancer, cardiovascular disease and hepatic dysfunction. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of Ganoderma lucidum on acetaminophen-induced liver injury in wistar rats. Methods: Forty (40) male wistar rats were used for this study. Hepatoxicity was induced by oral administration of acetaminophenn (3000 mg/kg of body weight) for the last 21 consecutive days of the dietary of regimen Ganoderma lucidum. These rats were divided into eight cages each containing Five rats. Control Group 1 fed on feed and water only throughout the study, Group 2 received acetaminophen only, Group 3 received Acetaminophen + Standard drug (silymarin), Group 4 received Acetaminophen +100 mg/kg body weight of Ganoderma lucium extract, Group 5 received Acetaminophen + 200 mg/kg body weight of Ganoderma lucidum extract, Group 6 received Acetaminophen + 300 mg/kg body weight of Ganoderma lucidum extract , Group 7 received 100 mg/kg of Ganoderma lucidum extract, Group 8 received Acetaminophen+Standard Drug (silymarin) + 300 mg/kg body weight of Ganderma lucidum extract. Blood samples was collected via cardiac puncture within 24 hours of Sacrifice. The extent of the liver injury was determined by assessing the plasma levels of Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha (TNF-α), Alpha Feto protein, Alanine aminotransferase (ALT), Aspartate aminotransferase (AST), Alkaline phosphatase (ALP), Total bilirubin (TB), Conjugated bilirubin (CB), Unconjugated Bilirubin (UB), Albumin, Gamma Glutamyl Transaminase (GGT) and total protein (TP) using spectrophotometric method and ELISA as appropriate. Results: Oral administration of Acetaminophen significantly increased the plasma levels of the parameters accessed, suggesting severe liver damage in the rats. However, the treatment of Ganoderma lucidum decreased these hepatotoxic indices at a significant level of P <0.01 for TNF-α, AFP, ALT, AST, UB, TB, GGT and ALP, while Albumin and Conjugated Bilirubin were significantly decreased at a level of (P<0.05) in the Ganoderma lucidum + Acetaminophen-administered group compared to those of the control group. Conclusion: Thus, the results of the present investigation demonstrates that the Ganoderma lucidum provides significant hepatoprotective activity against acetaminophen-induced liver injury in wistar rats.