Abstract

The toxicological and immunodulatory properties of some selected Ganoderma species was investigated using animal bioassay. The result of the haematological analysis showed that there was no significant difference in the total white blood cell (WBC) count value between the control animal and those fed with Ganoderma extract, while there was increase in the packed cell volume (PCV) of the rat fed with the extract. The differential WBC count showed that lymphocytes and eosinophil increase in the animals fed withGanoderma extract, while the neutrophil reduced. However, the monocytes remained constant in the treated and control group of animals. Histopathological analysis revealed haemorrhage, reduction and detachment of the glomerular of the kidney while the intestinal section showed degeneration and erosion of the crypts of villi and cellular infiltration. There was necrosis in the heart, expansion and waxy contraction. TheGanoderma extract contain immunodulatory constituents that are toxic.

Key words: Toxicological, immunodulatory, Ganoderma, histopathology.