ObJective: To explore effects of ganoderma lucidum polysaccharides on expression of hippocampal N-methyl-D-aspartate(NMDA) receptor 2B(NR2B) in aging rats induce by D-gal. Method: The permanent dosage (sc) of D-gal was applied to SD rats to establish the aging model. Different concentrations of Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharides were individually administrated (ig) for 10 days. The Morris water maze was applied to validate the learning in rats. With immunohistochemitry and Western Blotting

the expression of NR2B was detected on tissues of CA1 and CA3 regions in hippocampus in rats. Result: As compared with the model

rats treated with G. lucidum polysaccharides (125

100 mg ·kg-1) had longer durations of crossover platform and the persentage of swimming time in Ⅳ quadrant

as well as the increased expression of NR2B in hippocampus (P<0.01

P<0.01). Conclusion: G. lucidum polysaccharides would play important roles in promoting learning ability for aging rats induced by D-gal. The up-regulation of NR2B expression in hippocampus could be contributed to one of the related mechanisms.