CULTURED MYCELIA OF PADDY STRAW MUSHROOM, VOLVARIELLA VOLVACEA (BULL: FR) SINGER PROTECTS WISTAR RATS FORM ACETAMINOPHEN-INDUCED HEPATOTOXICITY

Even though numerous herbal preparations have been recommended in alternative systems of medicine against hepatic disorders, many of them cause severe toxicity upon prolonged use. Volvariella volvacea (Bull.: Fr.) Singer is a highly nutritious mushroom that can be incorporated into the regular diet without the fear of side effects. The protective effect of the aqueous ethanol extract of V. volvacea mycelia was evaluated against acetaminophen (APAP) induced hepatic damage in Wistar rats. A single dose of APAP (3 g/kg, p.o.) was used for inducing hepatic damage. The extract was administrated orally at doses of 250 and 500 mg/kg, once daily for 7 days. Treatment with APAP (3 g/kg) increased the activities of liver function enzymes serum glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (SGOT), serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase (SGPT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP). APAP also reduced the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and enhanced lipid peroxidation in liver tissue. Administration of V. volvacea extract (500 mg/kg, p.o.) decreased the activities of SGPT, SGOT, and ALP. It also enhanced the level of SOD, CAT as well as GPx and decreased the tissue MDA level. The results of the study revealed the protective effect of V. volvacea against APAP-induced hepatotoxicity. The activity is mediated through its antioxidant potential by scavenging the free radicals and also by maintaining the levels of hepatic antioxidant systems.