Ganoderma lucidum (Fr.) P. Karst occurring in South India attenuates gastric ulceration in rats

The ethanol extract of Ganoderma lucidum (Fr.) P. Karst occurring in South India was examined for antiulcer activity against ethanol and Indomethacin induced ulcer in rats. Pretreatment of oral doses of 500 mg/kg and 1000 mg/kg showed significant reduction of ulcer index, with a percentage of inhibition of 55.17, 72.79 and 47 and 76.14% in ethanol and Indomethacin induced gastric ulceration, respectively. Administration of G. lucidum extract elevated the levels of Glutathione (GSH) as well as activities of Superoxide dismutase (SOD), Glutathione Peroxidase (GPx) and Catalase (CAT) and significantly lowered the levels of lipid peroxidation (LPO) in a dose dependent manner. The antiulcer property of the mushroom might be due to its profound free radical scavenging activity. The findings suggest the potential therapeutic use of G. lucidum as an effective non-toxic antiulcer agent.