Antifungal and Demelanizing Activity of Ganoderma lucidum on Some Pathogenic Fungi and Electron Microscopic Study of Fungal Damage

Introduction: In the last two decades, fungal diseases have increased for various reasons, including weakened immune systems, overuse of antibiotics, antifungals, and corticosteroids, as well as increased longevity. Ganoderma lucidum has a variety of biologically active compounds with medicinal functions. The present study aimed to investigate the antimicrobial and demelanizing activities of G. lucidum on some pathogenic fungi and to assess the damage caused to the fungi by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Materials & Methods: In this study, after preparing methanolic and chloroform extracts of G. lucidum, the antifungal activities of the methanolic and chloroform extracts were separately evaluated on Sporothrix schenckii, Alternaria alternata, Mucor, Penicillium, and Trichophyton violaceum based on the percentage of growth inhibition. Also, the inhibition of melanin production by G. lucidum was investigated in these fungi. Furthermore, the damage caused by the extracts to these fungi was studied by SEM.  Results: According to the results, the mean percentage of growth inhibition of the methanolic extract was ۶۷.۲۵±۱.۰۲, ۱۰۰±۰, ۲۷.۹۲±۳.۰۰, ۱۰۰±۰, and ۱۰۰±۰ for S. schenckii, A. alternata, Mucor, Penicillium, and T. violaceum, respectively, and that of the chloroform extract was ۸۳.۸۲±۱۴.۱۶, ۱۰۰±۰, ۴۷.۹۲±۳.۶۱, ۱۰۰±۰, and zero respectively. G. lucidum inhibited the production of melanin in Penicillium. Based on SEM observations, changes in morphology, production of pores, shrinkage of the surface of the mycelium and conidia, and a decrease in the number of conidia were observed. Conclusion: According to the results, G. lucidum is a valuable mushroom with an antifungal effect against fungal pathogens and might be used to treat these diseases. However, more research is needed to investigate the possible side effects of consuming it.

کلیدواژه ها:

Antifungal Effect ، Demelanizing ، Ganoderma Lucidum ، Scanning electron microscope (SEM)