Scientists develop drug from mushrooms to treat cancer

Thrissur, June 17 (UNI) A group of scientists at Amala Cancer Research Centre here has developed an effective medicine from mushrooms that could reduce the side effects in chemotherapy.

The scientists, through their intense research, have proved that components derived from Ganoderma mushroom could be effective in chemotherapy.

The methanolic extracts of this mushroom, found in South India, were found to have remarkable antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, anti mutagenic, anti carcinogenic, hepato protective, nephro protective, cardio protective activities when tested in experimental animal models, says Dr K K Janardhanan, who led the team of scientists.

''In experiments on animals, the extract showed significant effect against radiation induced cellular damage, which indicated that it could prevent planned and accidental radiation hazards,'' he told UNI.

''When mice were administered a dose of 500mg of ganoderma per kg of body weight after implanting a tumour, it was found that the tumour load was reduced by 97.7 per cent within 10 days,'' he added.

''The studies showed that the extract of this mushroom imparted significant protection against cancer drug induced nephrotoxicity,'' he said and pointed out that in chemotherapy, drugs often caused serious nephrotoxic effects.

The investigations also revealed that several mushrooms in India namely Ganoderma lucidum, Pleurotus sajor-caju, Pleurotus florida, Phellinus rimosus, cultured mycelium of Mochella esculenta possessed profound antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anticancer properties.

He said Ganoderma lucidum popularly known as Reishi or Ling Zhi is considered as a panacea in China.

Phellinus rimosus, a polypore mushroom, found growing on the jackfruit tree in Kerala, had been reported to be used by some tribes in Kerala for curing mumps.

Dr Janardhanan said the investigations revealed that the extracts of this mushroom had possessed significant antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, anti-carcinogenic, anti-mutagenic, hepato-protective and nephro-protective properties.

MORE UNI