Abstract: The experiment studied possible antioxidant effects of two kinds of polysaccharides including Pleurotus ferulae polysaccharide (PFP) and Lycium barbarum polysaccharide (LBP). The antioxidant effects could prevent membrane damage in rat liver mitochondria induced by the free radicals generated byγ-radiation. Results showed: With the radiation dose 75～900Gy, lipid peroxidation could be induced, and products were found to be thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and lipid peroxide (LPO). Both PFP (50μg/ml or 10μg/ml) and LBP (50μg/ml or 10μg/ml) could effectively inhibit protein oxidation and lipid peroxidation induced by the radiation with the dose 450Gy. Comparing LBP with PFP, LBP was more effective in inhibiting lipid peroxidation, in the formation of TBARS, while PFP was superior in inhibiting protein oxidation. Both partly prevent the radiation-induced loss of protein thiols and the inactivation of superoxide dismutase. Both have potent antioxidant effects, by which membrane damage in rat liver mitochondria induced by the free radicals generated byγ-radiation, is prevented.

Key words: Pleurotus ferulae polysaccharide, Lycium barbarum polysaccharide, lipid peroxidation, protein oxidation, antioxidation, radiation