The research of anticholesterolemic effect of medicinal mushroom Ganoderma lucidum

ABSTRACTMSc THESISTHE RESEARCH OF ANTICHOLESTEROLEMIC EFFECT OFMEDICINAL MUSHROOM Ganoderma lucidumYusuf UYSALDEPARTMENT OF BIOLOGYINSTITUTE OF NATURAL APPLIED SCIENCESUNIVERSITY OF CUKUROVASupervisor: Prof. Dr. Burhan ARIKANYear: 2006 Page: 55Jury: Prof. Dr. Burhan ARIKANJury: Prof. Dr. Ömer ÇOLAKJury: Doç. Dr. Gökhan CORALJury: Doç. Dr. Hatice GÜVENMEZJury: Yrd. Doç. Dr. Nisa ÜNALDI CORALIn this study, we studied cholesterol lowering properties of medicinal mushroomGanoderma lucidum (G. lucidum). We used female rats (Wistar albino) and male rabbits(Oryctologus cuniculus L.) for experimental studies.The animals were fed hypercholesterolmic diet that include %10 fat for four weeks.Then, animals were fed with experimental diet which include %5 G. lucidum basidiocarp and%10 fat for four week. During the feding procedure, animals? blood samples were taken andplasma total cholesterol were analyzed with enzymatic kits and their weights were weighed.This analyzes showed that total cholesterol percentage increased by %41,35 in rats,on the other hand, rabbits? total cholesterol decreased by %52,94. According to the results, G.lucidum decreased total cholesterol. As a result, G. lucidum could be used for cholesterollowering agent.Key Words: Ganderma lucidum, medicinal mushroom, cholesterol, rat, rabbit.