THE EFFECT OF GANODERMAS ON ELEVATED SERUM ALDOLASE LEVELS INDUCED BY 2,4-DICHLOROPHEN-OXYACETIC ACID (2,4-D) IN MICE

Ganoderma capense cultivated by submerged fermentation was reported to be useful for the treatment of progressive muscular dystrophy and atrophic myotonia. Since hyper-aldolasemia is one of the biochemical indications of muscular dystrophy, the effect of Ganodermas on experimental aldolasemia caused by administration of 2,4-D was studied in mice.Intraperitoneal injections of preparations of the mycelum or the filtrate of Ganoderma capense cultivated by submerged fermentation as well as G. japonicum were found to lower the elevated serum aldolase levels induced by injection of 2,4- D. Uracil and uridine, both isolated from the mycelum of G. capense, were also shown to be effective in lowering the elevated aldolase level. The same result was obtained with uracil and uridine perchased from the market. It appears that uracil and uridine may be the active principles of G. capense used for the treatment of muscular dystrophy in patients. The isolation of other principles from G. capense is still in progress.