Free radical scavenging and mitochondrial antioxidant activities of Reishi- Ganoderma lucidum (Curt: Fr) P. Karst and Arogyapacha-Trichopus zeylanicus Gaertn extracts

Abstract

Endogenous damage to mitochondrial DNA by free radicals is believed to be a major contributory factor to aging. The current study examined the effects of the extracts of two important anti-fatigue and rejuvenating medicinal herbs Ganoderma lucidum and Trichopus zeylanicus for their free-radical scavenging property and for their effects on liver mitochondrial antioxidant activity in aged mice. Both extracts were administrated orally to aged BALB/c mice at doses of 50 and 250 mg/kg body weight for 15 days. Super oxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activity and levels of reduced glutathione (GSH) and lipid peroxidation as equivalents of malondialdehyde (MDA) formed were determined. Groups of young mice and aged mice (more than 15 months old) were taken as controls. Both G. lucidum and T. zeylanicus extracts increased antioxidant status in liver mitochondria of aged mice compared with the aged control. Higher levels of GSH, increased activity of SOD and CAT, and decreased level of MDA in both treated groups compared with the controls were evident. Both extracts possessed significant 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazil (DPPH), 2, 2'-azinobis (3-ethylbenzothiazolin-6-sulphonic acid) (ABTS) radical scavenging activities and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP). The DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP activities were higher in G. lucidum extract than in T. zeylanicus. G. lucidum extract also showed superoxide and hydroxyl radical scavenging activities. T. zeylanicus had significantly higher lipid peroxidation inhibiting activity than G. lucidum. Thus, we conclude that the antioxidative effect of the G. lucidum extract was higher than that of T. zeylanicus. Our findings suggest a potential therapeutic efficacy of G. lucidum extract to protect against aging and to a certain extent against age-related degenerative diseases.

From 2000years of Ganoderma lucidum to recent developments in nutraceuticals

“…ROS and free radicals can damage cells through oxidation, and long-term accumulation of such damage causes aging and various age-associated diseases (Lobo et al, 2010). Studies have been used to show that G. lucidum increases the activity of super oxide dismutase and catalase which are enzymes involved in removing harmful ROS (Ajith et al, 2009;Cherian et al, 2009;Smina et al, 2011). In addition, administration of triterpenes to mice increased the activity of antioxidant enzymes, and reduced radiation-induced oxidative DNA damage in mice splenocytes (Stojkovic et al, 2014).…”

Beneficial effect of Trichopus zeylanicus extract on mercuric chloride-induced hepatotoxicity in rats

“…This is in agreement with our findings, which showed that the levels of reduced glutathione, vitamin C, and vitamin E were significantly depleted, and it could Brought to you by | ULB Bonn Authenticated Download Date | 5/28/15 3:25 PM contribute to the development of HgCl 2 -induced hepatic damage in rats [25] . In this line, Cherian et al [6] showed that TZ Et had higher free radical-scavenging activity and liver mitochondria antioxidant activity in aged mice. Both the free radical-scavenging and the chelating properties of TZ Et were apparently responsible for restoring the levels of the non-enzymatic antioxidants vitamin C, vitamin E, and reduced glutathione.…”

“…The fruit is consumed by Kani tribes for instant stamina, better health, and amelioration of age-related disorders [4] . TZ extract (TZ Et) is composed of polyphenols and sulfhydryl compounds, which have been shown to exhibit a wide variety of pharmacological actions such as mast cell-stabilizing activity [5] , fatty acid utilization in mice [6] , free radical-scavenging activity, and inhibition of lipoxygenase activity [7] .…”

Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharides reduce methotrexate-induced small intestinal damage in mice via induction of epithelial cell proliferation and migration

“…SOD levels correlate with the elimination of free radicals. Gl-PS have been widely used as antioxidants in vivo and in vitro [21][22][23] . Therefore, in the present study, we investigated whether Gl-PS inhibit MTXinduced small intestine damage via decreasing MDA levels and increasing SOD levels.…”