Short-term toxicity profile of the aqueous extract of the fruiting bodies of Ganoderma lucidum (Reishi) (W. Curt.: Fr) (Ganodermataceae) in Swiss albino mice

Abstract

There is an ongoing green revolution and rising interest in the use of natural products as food supplements and for therapy especially in developing countries. In particular, the local consumption of mushrooms is on the rise due to their culinary benefits and claimed medicinal properties. In view of the hazardous potentials associated with the consumption of mushrooms, it is important to document the toxicological effects of indigenous mushrooms. This study evaluated the short-term toxicity of the aqueous extract of the fruiting bodies of Ganoderma lucidum in Swiss albino mice. This aqueous extract was obtained at the end of a sequential extraction process. The safety and mean lethal dose (LD 50) of the extract were determined. The sub-chronic toxicity was carried out in 30 mice divided into 3 groups of 10 mice which represented vehicle control (normal saline), extract dose of 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg, respectively. All doses were administered daily for 14 days via intragastric intubation. Blood was collected by cardiac puncture for profiling of liver enzymes, urea, creatinine, and electrolytes. The heart, kidney and liver were also harvested into 10 % formaldehyde for histological studies. The LD 50 was found to be 3800 mg/kg in mice via the intraperitoneal route. The extract (400 mg/kg) produced a significant dose-dependent increase in red blood cell count, haemoglobin concentration (p < 0.05), with corresponding elevations in haematocrit, and platelet counts. Similarly, liver enzymes levels in the mice did not differ significantly from vehicle-controlled mice (p > 0.05). There was no derangement in electrolyte concentrations, except for a slight but insignificant elevation in serum creatinine. Cardiac muscle fibres and hepatocytes showed normal architecture with preserved cellular morphology at ×400 magnification, however, the extract induced mild glomerular and tubular changes. The aqueous extract of G. lucidum was found to be generally safe in mice exposed to 14 days oral administration.