Polysaccharides isolated from Ganoderma lucidum occurring in Southern parts of India, protects radiation induced damages both in vitro and in vivo

The in vivo and in vitro radioprotective property of the polysaccharides isolated from Ganoderma lucidum were determined by survival studies, induction of micronucleus in reticulocytes of mice, strand breaks in plasmid pBR322 DNA and inhibition of lipid peroxidation (TBARS assay). Polysaccharides were administered as a single dose after whole body exposure to 10 Gy ⁶⁰Co γ-radiation to Swiss albino mice. At a dose of 500 μg/kg body wt, the polysaccharides were most effective in protecting animals from radiation induced loss of lethality. Administration of 500 μg/kg body wt to animal exposed to 10 Gy gamma radiation resulted in more than 60% survival on the 30th day compared to the dose of 300 mg/kg/body wt administration of amifostine, a clinically used radioprotective drug. The induction of micronuclei was reduced by the administration of polysaccharides. The decrease in micronuclei induction was dose dependent. Thus following 4 Gy exposure the micronuclei in polychromatic erythrocytes (MNCE) was reduced from 28.16 ± 3.049 to 16.0243 ± 2.074 and 6.30 ± 2.422 by polysaccharides at doses of 250 μg/kg body wt and 500 μg/kg body wt, respectively, and to 10.4 ± 2.581 by amifostine at a dose of 300 mg/kg body wt. The results indicate the significant protective effect of Ganoderma polysaccharides against radiation induced damages. The findings thus suggest the potential use of Ganoderma polysaccharides as novel radioprotective agent.