Studies on Antimicrobial Activity of Higher Basiomycetes and the Effect of Ganodermal Lucidum in Indian HIV Carriers

Abstract

Since ancient days human beings suffer from various ailments and are trying to get rid of by using natural products available in the surroundings. Plants are being used as medicine from time immemorial because they have fitted the immediate personal need. Plants are not the only natural products used as a source of drugs. Now a days various microbial products are widely used as potential medicines for the control of many diseases. In recent years, multiple drug resistance in human pathogenic microorganisms have developed due to indiscriminate use of commercial antimicrobial drugs commonly used in the treatment of infectious diseases. This situation forced scientists for searching new antimicrobial substances from various sources like medicinal plants and microorganisms which are the good sources of novel antimicrobial chemotherapeutic agents. In conclusion, the methanol and aqueous extracts of fruit bodies of Ganoderma lucidum possess compounds with antibacterial and antifungal properties which can be used as an antimicrobial agents in new drug therapy of infectious diseases. However, the mushroom genome strands out as a virtually untapped resource for novel antimicrobials and rich fungal genome is an essential component of our natural heritage and greatest protection against microbial diseases. Steroidal compounds were also isolated from methanol and aqueous extracts of Ganoderma lucidum and identified. The toxicological study results indicated that the fruit bodies of Ganoderma lucidum did not induce any toxic effect that could be detected by the methodology used in rats. However, more studies are needed on the chronic toxicity effect of Ganoderma lucidum before it can be recommended for long-term supplementation. Our study of supplementation of Ganoderma lucidum in Indian HIV carriers indicated that the mushroom product was well tolerated. In this limited study, Ganoderma lucidum mushroom at present formulation does not have an appreciable benefit to HIV carriers but it may reduce the risk of developing AIDS.