Hepatoprotective effects of polysaccharides isolated from Phellinus gilvus against carbon tetrachloride-induced liver injury in rats

Phellinus gilvus (PG) is a widely used mushroom for health promotion. We studied the hepatoprotective effect of the polysaccharide aqueous extract of PG (PGP) against carbon tetrachloride (CCl ₄)-induced liver injury in rats. Sprague Dawley rats were divided into 5 groups: Normal control, CCl ₄ control, PGP 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg + CCl ₄. The levels of serum biochemical parameters, liver lipid peroxide and antioxidant enzymes, and histological appearances were evaluated. The CCl ₄-induced increments of alanine aminotransferase, asparate aminotransferase, and alkaline phosphatase levels in serum were significantly decreased by PGP-pretreatments. The PGP dose-dependently decreased hepatic malondialdehyde formations in CCl ₄-treatment groups. Hepatic antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase) were elevated by PGP in CCl ₄-treatment groups. Histopathological evaluation of liver showed that the loss of hepatocytes, fatty changes, swelling and extensive necrosis of hepatocytes in centrilobular regions of the CCl ₄-treated rats were ameliorated by PGP pretreatment. The PGP has hepatoprotective and antioxidative effects in CCl ₄-induced liver injury of rat.