Suppression of D-galactosamine-induced liver injury by mushrooms in rats.

Six species of edible mushroom were found to suppress D-galactosamine-induced enhancement of plasma alanine and aspartate aminotransferase activities when powdered mushrooms were added to the diet (5%) and fed to rats for 2 wk. Grifola frondosa exhibited the most potent effect in a dose-dependent manner. A significant effect was observed only from the water-soluble low-molecular-weight fraction of G. frondosa. The results indicate that several mushrooms possess a protective effect against liver injury induced by D-galactosamine.