Antitumor and anti-inflammatory activities of polysaccharides isolated fromGanoderma lucidumIn this study, polysaccharides were isolated fromGanoderma lucidum (Polyporaceae)and their antitumor and anti-inflammatory activities were investigated usingin vivomodels. Potential antitumor activity was shown byG. lucidumpolysaccharides (GLP) against solid tumor induced by Ehrlich's ascites carcinoma cells. GLP at 100 mg kg-1body mass showed 80.8 and 77.6 % reduction in tumour volume and tumour mass, respectively, when administered 24 h after tumour implantation. Again, GLP at the same dose but when administered prior to tumour inoculation, showed 79.5 and 81.2 % inhibition of tumour volume and tumour mass, respectively. GLP showed significant dose-dependent activity in carrageenean-induced (acute) and formalin-induced (chronic) inflammation assays. At 100 mg kg-1, GLP exhibited 57.6 and 58.2 % inhibition in carrageenean-induced and formalin-induced assays, respectively.

Antioxidative and anti-inflammatory activities of Ganoderma lucidum (Curt.: Fr.) P. Karst. (Aphyllophoromycetideae) from tropical South India were investigated. The chloroform extract of the mushroom showed marked free radical scavenging activities. The anti-inflammatory activity of the extract at concentrations of 100 and 50 mg/kg was evaluated in carrageenan induced acute and formalin induced chronic inflammatory models in mice. The extract showed remarkable antiinflammatory activity in both models, comparable to the standard reference drug diclofenac. The results suggest that anti-inflammatory activity of the chloroform extract of G. lucidum is possibly attributed to its free radical scavenging properties. This study also reveals the potent therapeutic uses of G. lucidum from South India.

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