Ganoderic acid A attenuated hepatic impairment by down-regulating the intracellular JAK2-STAT3 signaling pathway in induced mushroom poisoning

Background: Mushroom poisoning is one of the most prominent public health problems. However, there is no special antidote so far. In the present study, we verified that Ganoderma lucidum may be an effective approach for treatment of acute mushroom poisoning. Methods: A retrospective study was performed within the past 20 years, we compiled information on the treatment of alpha-Amatoxin mushroom poisoning with Ganoderma lucidum by evaluating the mortality rate and liver function before and after treatment. Moreover, we explore the potential underlying mechanism of Ganoderma lucidum in the treatment of alpha-amanita poisoning in both in vivo animal experiments and in vitro cell experiments. Results: In our study, a total of 556 cases of mushroom poisoning were integrated over the past 20 years, the primary outcome was in-hospital mortality. Specificity, descriptive data of ALT, AST, BA and STB were evaluated for the effectiveness of protection to acute liver damage. From 1994 to 2002, there were 55 cases of mushroom poisoning in which 372 individuals were poisoned, 129 individuals died, with a mortality of 35%. Since 2002, after being treated with Ganoderma lucidum, surprisingly, the mortality decreased to 0%, and all the 184 patients were cured, the hepatic impairment improved significantly within 10 days. Based on a multivariate logistic regression analyses, after adjusting for age, gender and baseline clinical indicators, it was found that Ganoderma lucidum treatment was effective in reducing the morbidity (OR = 0.58), and Ganoderma lucidum treatment also showed an improvement in liver enzymes and in shortening the length of hospitalization significantly. Meanwhile, the main components of Ganoderma lucidum, Ganoderic acid A could significantly improve the survival rate and liver function in alpha-Amatoxin poisoned mice and may effectively inhibit the JAK2-STAT3 pathway, which could contribute to the detoxification in poisoned patients. Conclusion: Ganoderma lucidum is very effective in treating mushroom poisoning by alpha-amanita and is worth promoting.