Glucan from Macro fungi : A Promising Radioprotector
Thulasi Pillai G
ABSTRACT
The in vivo radioprotective effect of a beta-glucan isolated from the macro fungi Ganoderma lucidum, against radiation (RT) induced damage was investigated taking the in vivo antioxidant parameters - serum lipid peroxidation, GSH in blood and tissue catalase as end points at alternate time intervals for 9 days. Young adult swiss albino mice were whole body exposed to 4 Gy gamma irradiation. Beta glucan (BG) was administered orally (10 mg and 20 mg/kg body wt) just after radiation exposure. The efficacy of BG was compared with that of the standard drug amifostine at 300mg/kg body wt. Serum MDA, which was increased by irradiation was reduced by BG at 20 mg/kg body wt significantly on 5th, 7th and 9th day after radiation exposure. Blood GSH and tissue catalase was found to increase by the administration of BG at 20 mg/kg body wt.
