Effects of Ganoderma on aging and learning and memory ability in senescence accelerated mice

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of Ganoderma on aging, learning and memory ability in senescence accelerated mice (SAMP8). Six-month-old SAMP8 mice were divided into four groups: Control and three experimental groups supplemented with 0.3%, 0.6% or 1.8% Ganoderma for 12 weeks. Body weight, food intake, aging score, open field test and active shuttle avoidance tests were performed during the experiment. The activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), glutathione reductase (GSH-Rd) of RBC, brain and liver, and the amyloid of brain were analyzed after sacrificed. The results showed that there were no significant differences in the body weight, food intake and locomotion among four groups. The aging score of 0.6% and 1.8% Ganoderma groups were significantly lower than that of the control group (p<0.05). The escape responses of 0.3%, 0.6% and 1.8% Ganoderma groups at the fourth day were significantly better than control group in the female groups (p<0.05), whereas there were no differences among the male groups. Ganoderma groups had significantly higher activities of SOD, GSH-Px and GSH-Rd, and lower brain amyloid when compared with the control group (p<0.05). In summary, we suggested that the Ganoderma may improve learning and memory ability and promote the activities of antioxidation.