Abstract
We ascertained the influence of a medium additive (Prunus mume flesh) on the anti-inflammatory effects of Ganoderma lucidum extracts. Anti-inflammatory effects were evaluated by inhibition of interleukin-8 (IL-8) gene expression and platelet aggregation. All extracts caused suppression of IL-8 expression. Hot water extracts led to the lowest expression of IL-8. Inhibition of platelet aggregation was higher for extracts of G. lucidum cultured on a medium including P. mume flesh than for extracts from G. lucidum cultured on a normal medium. An 80 ℃ water extract of G. lucidum cultured on medium containing P. mume showed the highest inhibition on platelet aggregation regardless of the tested aggregating agents. The inhibitory effect on platelet aggregation by G. lucidum extracts was enhanced by addition of P. mume to the culture medium. This observation suggests that the medium additive influences the pharmacological actions of the mushroom.
