In vivo Evaluation of Antimalarial and Cytotoxic Properties of Crude Aqueous Extract of the Fruiting Body of Medicinal Mushroom, Ganoderma lucidum (W.Curt.:Fr.) P. Karst in Plasmodium berghei-Infected Mice

In vivo Evaluation of Antimalarial and Cytotoxic Properties of Crude Aqueous Extract of the Fruiting Body of Medicinal Mushroom, Ganoderma lucidum (W.Curt.:Fr.) P. Karst in Plasmodium berghei-Infected Mice

This study was aimed at investigating the in vivo antimalarial and cytotoxic activities of crude aqueous extracts of the fruiting bodies of Ganoderma lucidum, a mushroom with well established medicinal properties. Plasmodium berghei (1×107) was inoculated intraperitoneally into Swiss albino mice. The extract was then administered by an intra gastric tube once daily for four days starting from the day of parasite inoculation. Chloroquine (CQ) (used as standard drug), was administered through the same route.