title: Fungal beta glucan protects radiation induced DNA damage in human lymphocytes.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Ganoderma lucidum (Ling Zhi), a basidiomycete white rot macrofungus has been used extensively for therapeutic use in China, Japan, Korea and other Asian countries for 2,000 years. The present study is an attempt to investigate its DNA protecting property in human lymphocytes.
  
  
  METHODS
  Beta glucan (BG) was isolated by standard procedure and the structure and composition were studied by infrared radiation (IR) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, gel filtration chromatography and paper chromatography. The radioprotective properties of BG isolated from the macro fungi Ganoderma lucidum was assessed by single cell gel electrophoresis (comet assay). Human lymphocytes were exposed to 0, 1, 2 and 4 Gy gamma radiation in the presence and absence of BG.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The comet parameters were reduced by BG. The results indicate that the BG of G. lucidum possessed significant radioprotective activity with DNA repairing ability and antioxidant activity as the suggestive mechanism.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The findings suggest the potential use of this mushroom for the prevention of radiation induced cellular damages.
authors.affiliation: 1 Division of Forest Pathology, Kerala Forest Research Institute, Peechi, Thrissur-680 653, Kerala, India ; 2 Radiation Biology and Health Sciences Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai, India ; 3 Amala Cancer Research Centre, Amalanagar, Thrissur, Kerala, India ; 4 Pushpagiri Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre, Thiruvalla, Kerala, India.
authors.forename: Thulasi G
authors.initials: TG
authors.lastname: Pillai
authors.affiliation: 1 Division of Forest Pathology, Kerala Forest Research Institute, Peechi, Thrissur-680 653, Kerala, India ; 2 Radiation Biology and Health Sciences Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai, India ; 3 Amala Cancer Research Centre, Amalanagar, Thrissur, Kerala, India ; 4 Pushpagiri Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre, Thiruvalla, Kerala, India.
authors.forename: Dharmendra K
authors.initials: DK
authors.lastname: Maurya
authors.affiliation: 1 Division of Forest Pathology, Kerala Forest Research Institute, Peechi, Thrissur-680 653, Kerala, India ; 2 Radiation Biology and Health Sciences Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai, India ; 3 Amala Cancer Research Centre, Amalanagar, Thrissur, Kerala, India ; 4 Pushpagiri Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre, Thiruvalla, Kerala, India.
authors.forename: Veena P
authors.initials: VP
authors.lastname: Salvi
authors.affiliation: 1 Division of Forest Pathology, Kerala Forest Research Institute, Peechi, Thrissur-680 653, Kerala, India ; 2 Radiation Biology and Health Sciences Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai, India ; 3 Amala Cancer Research Centre, Amalanagar, Thrissur, Kerala, India ; 4 Pushpagiri Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre, Thiruvalla, Kerala, India.
authors.forename: Krishnankutty K
authors.initials: KK
authors.lastname: Janardhanan
authors.affiliation: 1 Division of Forest Pathology, Kerala Forest Research Institute, Peechi, Thrissur-680 653, Kerala, India ; 2 Radiation Biology and Health Sciences Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai, India ; 3 Amala Cancer Research Centre, Amalanagar, Thrissur, Kerala, India ; 4 Pushpagiri Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre, Thiruvalla, Kerala, India.
authors.forename: Cherupally K K
authors.initials: CK
authors.lastname: Nair
keywords: DNA damage; Fungi; Ganoderma lucidum; comet assay; gel filtration; polysaccharides; radioprotection