To assess the effects of treatment of Amanita mushroom poisoning with Glossy anoderma Decoction (灵芝煎剂

GGD). Twelve patients with acute Amanita mushroom poisoning received conventional treatment (penicillin and reduced glutathione) combined with oral administration of GGD (treated group)

which was prepared out of 200 g Glossy ganoderma decocted in water to 600 mL

and 200 ml was given once

three times a day for 7 successive days; while conventional treatment alone was given to the other 11 patients assigned to the control group. The therapeutic efficacy and changes in serum levels of total bilirubin (TBil)

bile acids (BA)

alanine transaminase (ALT)

and aspartate transaminase (AST) activities in the two groups were compared. The cured-markedly effective rate in the treated group was more significant than that in the control group (P<0.01). Elevation in TBil

BA

ALT

and AST activities were observed in both groups 3 days after poisoning

which progressively increased thereafter in the control group. In the treated group

they reached their peak on the 3rd day and then declined gradually. The differences between pre-treatment and post-treatment in both groups were obviously signifi cant (P<0.01)

so were the differences between the two groups at corresponding time points (P<0.01). GGD shows excellent clinical efficacy in the treatment of acute Amanita mushroom poisoning and can reduce mortality significantly.