Effect of Ganoderma lucidum (Reishi) on Hematological Parameters in Wistar Rats

Abstract

Ganoderma lucidum (Reishi), has been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for 5000 years or more. In China and Japan Ganoderma lucidum has been used in folk medicine, commonly in the treatment of neurasthenia, insomnia, hepatopathy, nephritis, gastric ulcers, asthma, and hypertension. In this study we have evaluated the effect
of Ganoderma lucidum on hematological parameters in Wistar rats. The extract was given orally by gavage at the
dose of 150 mg/kg and 300 mg/kg body weight. The result of our study shows extremely significant increase in the
hemoglobin level, platelet count and leukocyte count more specifically at a dose of 150 mg/kg of Ganoderma lucidum
extract when compare with normal control group. However, at a dose of 300 mg/kg of GLE, significant increase in
hemoglobin level and extremely significant increase in leukocyte count were observed. Whereas, insignificant result
was observed at both the doses of GLE in case of hematocrit level, MCV, MCHC, MCH and RBC count.

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International Journal of Medical Research &
Health Sciences, 2018, 7(3): 151-157
151
ISSN No: 2319-5886
Effect of Ganoderma lucidum (Reishi) on Hematological
Parameters in Wistar Rats
Hammad Ahmed and Muhammad Aslam*
Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ziauddin University, Karachi, Pakistan
*Corresponding e-mail: pharmacologist1@yahoo.com
ABSTRACT
Ganoderma lucidum (Reishi), has been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for 5000 years or more. In
China and Japan Ganoderma lucidum has been used in folk medicine, commonly in the treatment of neurasthenia,
insomnia, hepatopathy, nephritis, gastric ulcers, asthma, and hypertension. In this study we have evaluated the effect
of Ganoderma lucidum on hematological parameters in Wistar rats. The extract was given orally by gavage at the
dose of 150 mg/kg and 300 mg/kg body weight. The result of our study shows extremely signicant increase in the
hemoglobin level, platelet count and leukocyte count more specically at a dose of 150 mg/kg of Ganoderma lucidum
extract when compare with normal control group. However, at a dose of 300 mg/kg of GLE, signicant increase in
hemoglobin level and extremely signicant increase in leukocyte count were observed. Whereas, insignicant result
was observed at both the doses of GLE in case of hematocrit level, MCV, MCHC, MCH and RBC count.
Keywords: Ganoderma lucidum, Anemia, Hemoglobin, Platelets, Leukocytes, Thrombocytopenia
INTRODUCTION
Anemia is the most familiar blood disorder which may be due to decrease in the amount of hemoglobin or reduction of
red blood cells in the body. Malnutrition, loss of blood on daily basis and over use of alcohol are the well-known causes
of anemia. However, some medications and different surgical procedures can also lead to anemia [1]. Symptoms of
anemia such as fatigue, inability to work due to weakness, and lack of concentration is due to less oxygen delivery
to various tissues [2,3]. Iron deciency is the most common type of anemia which is due to deciency of iron [1].
Various studies reported that thrombocytopenia is associated with iron deciency anemia and this may be due to bone
marrow dysfunction, aplastic anemia, Evan’s syndrome, etc. [4]. Many standard treatments are available to cope
up with these disorders such as platelet transfusion in case of thrombocytopenia [5], use of erythropoietin and iron
supplements in iron deciency anemias, but these treatments have some common adverse reactions [1].
Mushrooms had been one of the major sources of many medicinal products. There are around 10,000 varieties of
mushrooms, out of which 2000 have nonpoisonous effects and around 300 of them have shown important medicinal
effects [6]. Studies show that mushroom extracts are advantageous for the human body, as they have shown several
pharmacological activities such as anti-bacterial, anti-inammatory, anti-viral and anti-hyperglycemic activity [7].
Ganoderma lucidum (Reishi), has been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for 5000 years or more [8,9].
In China and Japan, Ganoderma lucidum has been used in folk medicine, commonly in the treatment of neurasthenia,
insomnia, hepatopathy, nephritis, gastric ulcers, asthma, and hypertension. Ganoderma lucidum has been cultivated
over 4000 years as a longevity-enhancing, tonic [10]. Studies show that fruit bodies of Ganoderma lucidum and
ginseng (C. A. Meyer Paxax ginseng), are the most necessary medicinal products in the world [11,12]. Different
varieties of Ganoderma lucidum are preferred in different regions. For example, in Japan red variety is favored while
black variety is preferred in South China [13]. Ganoderma lucidum is widely used and distributed throughout the
world as therapeutic mushroom. There are more than 250 species of Ganoderma lucidum around the world [14].

Ahmed, et al. Int J Med Res Health Sci 2018, 7(3): 151-157
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Kadhim, et al.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Collection of Mushroom
Ganoderma lucidum extract composed of cracked spores and fruiting bodies, branded ReishiMax Glp®, was procured
from Pharmanex Inc. (United States of America).
Animals
Healthy adult rats (Wistar strain) bearing weight of 150-200 g were purchased from the animal house of Dow University
of Health Sciences, Pakistan. Polypropylene cages were used for keeping the animals under controlled conditions at a
room temperature of (25°C-30°C) with light-dark cycle of 12/12 hour. Standard diet and water ad libitum were given
to the rats. Handling of the animals were done according to the requirements mentioned in “Guidelines for care and
use of laboratory animals 8th edition” [15]. Prior approval from the ethical review committee of Ziauddin University
was taken before conducting this research.
Animal Grouping
Male rats were divided into four groups (six animals per group):
Group I: Normal control group, given distilled water (10 ml/kg) orally for 40 days.
Group II: Treated group, given extract (150 mg/kg) for 40 days.
Group III: Treated group, given extract (300 mg/kg) for 40 days.
Biochemical Tests
Sample collection: On 40th day of the study rats were anaesthetized using chloroform. By cardiac puncture, 2 ml of
blood was collected and taken in EDTA tubes for hematological study.
Hematological parameters: For the estimation of hematological parameters Mindray (BC-3000 plus) auto
hematology analyzer was used to analyze the samples of blood. RBC count, WBC count, platelet count, hematocrit,
hemoglobin (Hb), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) and
mean cell volume (MCV) were assessed.
Statistical Analysis
One-way ANOVA following Tukey’s test was used for analyzing the data. Data were expressed as mean ± standard
error of mean (SEM). A statistical level of 0.05 or less was accepted as signicant.
RESULTS
The result of our study shows extremely signicant increase in the hemoglobin level, platelet count and leukocyte
count more specically at a dose of 150 mg/kg of Ganoderma lucidum extract when compare with normal control
group. However, at a dose of 300 mg/kg of GLE, signicant increase in hemoglobin level and extremely signicant
increase in leukocyte count were observed. Whereas, insignicant result was observed at both the doses of GLE in
case of hematocrit level, MCV, MCHC, MCH and RBC count (Figures 1-8).

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Kadhim, et al.
H ae mogl ob in (g/ dl )
N or mal co ntrol
G
LE 1 50 m g/ kg
G
LE 3 00 m g/ kg
0
5
1 0
1 5
2 0
*** *
Figure 1 Effect of Ganoderma lucidum on hemoglobin level in male rats All values are expressed as mean ± SEM,
n=6 (Number of animals in each group), ***P<0.001 (Extremely signicant difference), **P<0.01
(Very signicant difference), *P<0.05 (Signicant difference)
P late le ts
N or mal co ntro l
G LE 1 50 m g/kg
G LE 3 00 m g/kg
0
5 00 00 0
1 00 00 00
1 50 00 00
***
*
Figure 2 Effect of Ganoderma lucidum on platelets in male rats All values are expressed as mean ± SEM, n=6
(Number of animals in each group), ***P<0.001 (Extremely signicant difference), **P<0.01
(Very signicant difference), *P<0.05 (Signicant difference)
L euko cy te s (Per cumm)
N or mal co ntro l
G LE 1 50 m g/kg
G LE 3 00 m g/kg
0
2 00 00
4 00 00
6 00 00
***
***
Figure 3 Effect of Ganoderma lucidum on Leukocytes in male rats. All values are expressed as
mean ± SEM, n=6 (Number of animals in each group), ***P<0.001 (Extremely signicant difference),
**P<0.01 (Very signicant difference), *P<0.05 (Signicant difference)

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Kadhim, et al.
R BC c ount
N
or mal co ntro l
G
LE 1 50 m g/ kg
G
LE 3 00 m g/ kg
0
2
4
6
8
1 0
Figure 4 Effect of Ganoderma lucidum on RBC count in male rats. All values are expressed as mean ± SEM, n=6
(Number of animals in each group), ***P<0.001 (Extremely signicant difference), **P<0.01
(Very signicant difference), *P<0.05 (Signicant difference)
H em at oc rit (% )
N
or mal co ntro l
G
LE 1 50 m g/ kg
G
LE 3 00 m g/ kg
0
1 0
2 0
3 0
4 0
5 0
Figure 5 Effect of Ganoderma lucidum on hematocrit level in male rats. All values are expressed as mean ± SEM,
n=6 (Number of animals in each group), ***P<0.001 (Extremely signicant difference), **P<0.01
(Very signicant difference), *P<0.05 (Signicant difference)
M CH
N or mal co ntro l
G LE 1 50 m g/kg
G LE 3 00 m g/kg
0
5
1 0
1 5
2 0
2 5
Figure 6 Effect of Ganoderma lucidum on MCH level in male rats. All values are expressed as mean ± SEM, n=6
(Number of animals in each group), ***P<0.001 (Extremely signicant difference), **P<0.01
(Very signicant difference), *P<0.05 (Signicant difference)

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Kadhim, et al.
M CH C
N or mal co ntrol
G
LE 1 50 m g/ kg
G
LE 3 00 m g/ kg
0
1 0
2 0
3 0
4 0
Figure 7 Effect of Ganoderma lucidum on MCHC level in male rats. All values are expressed as mean ± SEM, n=6
(Number of animals in each group), ***P<0.001 (Extremely signicant difference), **P<0.01
(Very signicant difference), *P<0.05 (Signicant difference)
M CV
N or mal co ntrol
G LE 1 50 m g/ kg
G LE 3 00 m g/ kg
0
2 0
4 0
6 0
8 0
Figure 8 Effect of Ganoderma lucidum on MCV level in male rats. All values are expressed as mean ± SEM, n=6
(Number of animals in each group), ***P<0.001 (Extremely signicant difference), **P<0.01
(Very signicant difference), *P<0.05 (Signicant difference)
DISCUSSION
The results of our study show signicant effect of Ganoderma lucidum extract on hematological parameters in rats.
In this study the increase in the hemoglobin level in the GLE groups may be due to strong anti-oxidant effect of
Ganoderma lucidum which prevent the destruction of RBC’s from free radical formation [16-18]. This hematopoietic
effect of Ganoderma lucidum may be due to the antioxidant properties of its constituents. Ganoderma lucidum can
increase the activity of anti-oxidant enzymes in mice if triterpenes of Ganoderma lucidum are to be administered
to mice. However, at a dose of 150 mg/kg, GLE has shown an increase in the platelet count and this enhancement
of platelet may be due to the presence of tannins, a phytochemical compound found in the Ganoderma lucidum
which acts as an important hemostatic agent causing arrest of bleeding by increasing the platelet plug formation
[19]. Due to this reason Ganoderma lucidum can be used as an important medicinal mushroom in the treatment of
thrombocytopenia. There was an insignicant increase or decrease in the hematocrit, MCH, MCHC, MCV and RBC
count in both 150 mg/kg and 300 g/kg GLE groups. Whereas, there is a dose dependent decline in some hematological
parameters such as hemoglobin, hematocrit, platelet, RBC count and leukocytes count. With increase in the dose of
drug i.e., at a dose of 300 mg/kg there is a decrease in the above-mentioned parameters. This shows that selective

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Kadhim, et al.
effect of Ganoderma lucidum has been observed at specic doses on hematological parameters in rats. There is an
extremely signicant increase in the leukocyte count in both GLE groups and this effect is due to the presence of
polysaccharides [20]. However, this increase in leukocyte count shows that this extract has immunomodulatory effect
which can boost up the immune system of rodents by increasing the production of WBC [21].
CONCLUSION
In this study Ganoderma lucidum has shown extremely signicant effect on hematological parameters specically
in case of hemoglobin level, leukocyte count and platelet count. It is, therefore, concluded that Ganoderma lucidum
can be used as an important medicinal mushroom in the treatment of anemia, thrombocytopenia, and blood clotting
disorders.
DECLARATIONS
Conict of Interest
The authors and planners have disclosed no potential conicts of interest, nancial or otherwise.
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