Effect on ganoderma lucidum (red reishi mushroom) extract on carbon tetrachloride-induced liver damage and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) immunoreactivity

Carbon tetrachloride (CCI4) is a compound with a general toxic effect. Respiration involves absorption by the skin and gastrointestinal tract. In the present study, immunohistochemical localisation of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) was investigated in adult rats that were administered carbon tetrachloride and ganoderma lucidum. In the study, 32 adult Spraque-Dawley male rats aged 8-10 weeks were used. The rats were divided into 4 groups; control-sham, CCI4, Ganoderma lucidum (GL) and CCI4+GL. As a result of the experimental applications, it was observed that liver tissue was normal in the control and GL groups, while CCI4 caused various histoptological lesions. COX-2 immunoreactivity; while it was more common in the hepatocyte cytoplasm in the region from the sentral vena to the kierman range, it was detected sporadically in the hepatocyte nucleus. Total antioxidant level (TAS), Total oxidant level (TOS), Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels were evaluated as biochemical parameters. Key Words: Ganoderma Lucidum, Carbon Tetrachloride, Cyclooxygenase-2, Immunoreactivity, Total Oxidant/Antioxidant Capacity