β-glucuronidase-inhibitory activity and hepatoprotective effect of Ganoderma lucidum

To prove the relationship between the fluctuation in serum β- glucuronidase level and hepatotoxicity, an inhibitor of β-glucuronidase from G. lucidum was isolated and its hepatoprotective activity was investigated. The ether fraction of G. lucidum, which had potent β-glucuronidase- inhibitory activity, protected against CCl₄-induced liver injury. From this ether fraction, ganoderenic acid A, was isolated as the potent inhibitor of β-glucuronidase. It had a potent hepatoprotective effect against CCl₄- induced liver injury. These results suggest that the β-glucuronidase seems to be closely related to liver injury, which could be prevented by β- glucuronidase inhibitors.