Effects of Ganoderma lucidum on chemical-induced and bacterial-infected corneal ulceration of rabbits’ eyes

Abstract

Background: Corneal ulcerations pose risks to blindness, and their treatment presents huge challenges, in part due to increased resistance to anti-bacterial drugs, accessibility and cost issues, particularly in developing countries. This study investigated the pharmacological effect of Ganoderma Lucidum, on chemical-induced and bacterial-infected corneal ulceration of rabbits’ eyes. Methods: This was a randomized-controlled experiment of 16 healthy New Zealand rabbits, randomly assigned into four groups (A–D). The right eye cornea was injured using a drop of 1 Molar sodium hydroxide and followed by infection with Pseudomonas aeruginosa after 12 hours, in all groups except group A. Treatment with freshly prepared crude aqueous extract of G. lucidum (40 μg/mL) for groups A and B, the standard treatment protocol for group C, and atropine alone for group D commenced after 24 hours and continued every four hours for seven days. All data collected, pre-and post-tests, were analysed at α=0.05 using Wilcoxon signed-rank test for correlated variables and the Mann–Whitney U test for independent variables. Results: G. lucidum has significant clinical effects (74%) on corneal injury and ulcers (92%). The healing effects observed at the 168th hour were significantly better than those observed at the 24th hour (p<0.05). Although the difference between the healing effect of the standard treatment and the crude extract was not significant (p>0.05), the mean effect size was clinically significant (31%). Conclusion: This study demonstrates the potential antimicrobial potential of G. lucidum. G. lucidum may provide an alternative treatment option for chemical-induced and bacterial-infected corneal ulcers, particularly in resource-constrained countries.