Effect of Hericium erinaceus mycelia supplementation on the oxidative stress and inflammation processes stimulated by LPS and their mechanisms in BALB/C mice

This study was carried out to investigate the anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory actions of Hericium erinaceus mycelia in BALB/C mice injected with lopopolysaccharide (LPS), called endotoxin. Mice (6 weeks of age) weighing approximately 24.73±0.11 g were divided into 5 groups and were fed on the experimental diets containing Hericium erinaceus mycelia powder (HMP) for 1 week. Experimental groups were NC (normal control), HMP-C (HMP control), LC (LPS control), HMP 3%, and HMP 10%. Endotoxin shock was induced by intraperitoneal injection of LPS (100 mg/kg BW). NC and HMP-C groups were injected with saline solution (100 mg/kg BW). Food efficiency ratio were significantly (p<0.05) decreased in the HMP supplementation groups. Total fat and β-glucan excretion were higher in HMP supplementation groups than NC and LC groups, while plasma TG level was not different among groups. Plasma ALT levels were significantly (p<0.05) lower in the HMP supplementation groups than in LC group at 8 hr after LPS injection, while tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukine-6 levels of plasma were not different among groups. Hepatic superoxide dismutase, glutathione-reductase (GSH-red), and glutathione-peroxidase activities were higher in the HMP supplementation groups than in LC group at 4 hr after intraperitoneal injection of LPS. Hepatic GSH levels and protein expression of GSH-red was significantly (p<0.05) higher in the HMP supplemented groups than in LC group at 1 hr, 4 hr and 8 hr after LPS injection. From the above results, it is concluded that Hericium erinaceus mycelia may ameliorate hepatic oxidative stress by LPS through the elevation of hepatic glutathione level and antioxidant enzyme activities, which support the hepatoprotective effect of Hericium erinaceus mycelia.