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Abstract

Ganoderma lucidum total triterpenes were evaluated for anti-inflammatory activity using carrageenan-induced acute and formalin-induced chronic paw oedema models in Swiss albino mice. The total triterpenes, at concentrations 10, 50, and 100 mg/kg b. wt. administered orally, showed 36.96%, 54.35%, 76.09% inhibition of acute and 41.86%, 62.79% and 79.07% inhibition of chronic inflammation. Total triterpenes were also assessed for its effect in attenuating the inflammation and modulating the antioxidant status of Freund's complete adjuvant (FCA) induced arthritis rats. Total triterpenes when administrated orally, at concentrations 10, 50, and 100mg/kg b. wt., showed 58.73%, 73.02%, and 79.37% inhibition of paw oedema in the arthritis rats. Treatment with total triterpenes enhanced the activities of the antioxidant enzymes (SOD, GPx, and catalase) and restored the level of GSH in arthritic animals. Total triterpene treatment also attenuated the enhanced lipid peroxide levels in FCA-induced rats. All these findings support the strong therapeutic potential of Ganoderma total triterpenes against inflammation associated-diseases. INTRODUCTION:Inflammation is a defensive response for eliminating the harmful agent and injured tissues, thereby stimulating tissue repair. When this critical and usually beneficial response occurs in an uncontrolled manner, the result is excessive cellular damage that results in chronic inflammation and the destruction of healthy tissue. Inflammation has been associated with the patho physiology of numerous clinical conditions, including vascular diseases and cancer 1, 2 .