Immunomodulatory and toxicological properties of some selected Ganoderma mushrooms species

Abstract

The toxicological and immunodulatory properties of some selected Ganoderma species was investigated using
animal bioassay. The result of the haematological analysis showed that there was no significant difference in the
total white blood cell (WBC) count value between the control animal and those fed with Ganoderma extract, while
there was increase in the packed cell volume (PCV) of the rat fed with the extract. The differential WBC count
showed that lymphocytes and eosinophil increase in the animals fed with Ganoderma extract, while the neutrophil
reduced. However, the monocytes remained constant in the treated and control group of animals. Histopathological
analysis revealed haemorrhage, reduction and detachment of the glomerular of the kidney while the intestinal
section showed degeneration and erosion of the crypts of villi and cellular infiltration. There was necrosis in the
heart, expansion and waxy contraction. The Ganoderma extract contain immunodulatory constituents that are toxic.