Ganoderma applanatum terpenes protect mouse liver against benzo(α)pyren-induced oxidative stress and inflammation

Ganoderma applanatum terpenes (GAT) have been reported to have many benefits and medicinal properties. In this study, we evaluated the protective effect of GAT against benzo(a)pyrene (BaP) induced oxidative stress and inflammation in mouse liver, and explored the potential mechanism of its action. Our data showed that GAT significantly decreased levels of ALT and AST in serum and the liver histological injury in BaP-treated mice. GAT markedly decreased the levels of ROS, MDA and lowered the GSH/GSSG ratio in the liver of BaP-treated mice. Furthermore, GAT markedly inhibited the BaP-induced increase of Cu/Zn-SOD, CAT, GPx and GST activities in the mouse liver. Western blot analysis showed that GAT significantly inhibited inflammation by pressing the expression of IL-1 beta and COX-2 and inhibiting NF-kappa B translocation in the liver of BaP-treated mice. In conclusion, these results suggested that GAT could protect the mouse liver against BaP-induced injury by improving hepatic function, attenuating histopathologic changes, decreasing levels of ROS and MDA, renewing the activities of antioxidant enzymes and suppressing inflammatory response. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.