Anti-trypanosomal, antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of the fruiting bodies of Ganoderma lucidum (W. Curt.: Fr) (Ganodermataceae) aqueous extract

Human African Trypanosomiasis (HAT) infection is caused by sub species of Trypanosoma brucei. The clinically licensed drugs have unacceptable toxicities and variable efficacies. The prognosis is influenced by the level of circulating free radicals and opportunistic infections. Many plants have been screened for activity in different models of HAT but the same is not true of mushrooms. This study screened the aqueous extract of the fruiting bodies of Ganoderma lucidum for trypanocidal, antioxidant and antimicrobial activities. Fruiting bodies of the mushroom were extracted sequentially with n – hexane, ethyl acetate, absolute ethanol and distilled water. The extracts were screened for phytochemical constituents and in vitro trypanocidal activity, the most active of which was further subjected to in vivo trypanocidal, anti-oxidant and anti-microbial screening. Alkaloids, carbohydrates, flavonoids, saponins and anthraquinones were present. In vitro trypanocidal screening showed the aqueous extract as the most active (IC50 = 14.65 μg/μl). It also dose-dependently inhibited parasitaemia and prolonged survival in parasite - infected mice (50, 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg). DPPH radical scavenging activity gave an IC50 of 131.00 ± 0.03 mg/ml. The extract demonstrated broad spectrum antimicrobial activity at 250 mg/ml. The fruiting bodies of G. lucidum is a potential source of trypanocidal compounds.