Hepatoprotective effect of Fomes fomentarius extract against carbon tetrachloride-induced acute liver injury in rat

Medicinal mushrooms are known for their potential for the treatment of various diseases such as cancer and gastrointestinal disorders. Fomes fomentarius is a fungus belonging to the Polyporaceae family with anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antidiabetic, and antitumor effects.

This study aimed to investigate the hepatoprotective effect of F. fomentarius extract in a rat model of carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced toxicity along with its scavenging activity against 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl.

Better antioxidant activity was obtained for ethanol extract of the fungus (IC50: 206.20 µg/mL) compared with its aqueous extract (IC50: 414.33 µg/mL). Levels of alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, lactate dehydrogenase, and alkaline phosphatase decreased after administration of the ethanol extract especially at 100 mg/kg compared with higher doses (200 and 400 mg/kg). 

Treatment with the lower dose of the extract reduced alkaline phosphatase more pronouncedly than silymarin, indicating the beneficial properties of the fungus for biliary tract diseases. Histopathological findings also showed that F. fomentarius extract at the lower dose could protect against CCl4-induced liver injury, and the mechanism may be related to its antioxidant activity.