Efficacy of Ganoderma lucidum in Reducing Liver Dysfunction Induced by Copper Oxide Nanoparticles
Author(s): Ozdan Akram Ghareeb*
Abstract
The increasing use of copper oxide nanoparticles (CUO-NPs) in many fields, especially medical and pharmaceutical, increases the need to study their toxic effects on human health, and to search for safe agents to protect or limit their harmful effects. The study was conducted on 24 male rats sporadic randomly into 4 equal divisions: CON group included healthy rats, CUO-NPs group was for CUO nanoparticles intoxicated rats, while in CUONPs+GL group the intoxicated rats received G. lucidum, and GL group, in which the rats received only G. lucidum. The experiment lasted for two weeks. After its completion the animals were sacrificed to obtain homogenous blood and tissue samples for the liver. Liver function biomarkers were measured, and hepatic levels of malondialdehyde and glutathione were also examined to detect oxidative stress in liver tissue. Our observations showed that there was a significant increase in serum biomarkers of liver function in rats treated with CUO-NPs compared to control rats. Moreover, copper oxide nanoparticles decreased the level of glutathione and increased the level of malondialdehyde in liver tissues. Co-administration of G. lucidum had a potentiating effect against hepatotoxicity, having a role in restoring biomarkers of liver function and copper-induced oxidative stress. Ganoderma lucidum may be recommended as an agent to restore liver function disturbances caused by exposure to copper oxide nanoparticles.