Effect of Ganoderma lucidum on MPTP Induced Behavioral Alterations in Swiss Albino Mice

Objectives: To investigate the behavioral effect of Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharides (GLPS) and triterpenoid fractions (GLTT) in Parkinson’s induced mice. Methods: Parkinson’s disease (PD) was induced by intraperitoneal administration of of 3 mg/kg 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP). G. lucidum was collected, authenticated and extracted with water and methanol to obtain GLPS and GLTT extracts respectively. A dose of 50 mg/kg of GLPS and GLTT were administered orally to PD mice for five consecutive days. Behavioral studies such as forced swim test, rota-rod test, grip strength test and locomotor activity were conducted in all the animals before and after toxicant, GLPS and GLTT treatment. Results: The mice injected with MPTP induced reasonable extent of Parkinsonism. In forced swim test, after treatment with GLPS and GLTT, the time for the mice to stop swimming decreased. In grip strength test, the motor coordination of PD induced mice seemed to be higher when compared to the normal mice, GLPS and GLTT treated groups. In rota-rod test, treatment with GLPS and GLTT showed mild decrease in the time for the mice to fall from a rotating rod. The results of the locomotor test showed that the mice had an increase in its locomotor activity after being induced with MPTP and decreased after being treated with GLPS and GLTT. Conclusion: This preliminary study results indicate that both GLPS and GLTT extract has therapeutic benefit on the PD mice.