Abstract:

BACKGROUND: Studies have shown that Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharides have biological activities of anti-viral, anti-tumor, enhance immunity, anti-oxidative and anti-aging.
OBJECTIVE: To observe the biological effect of Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharides on the antioxidant capacity of D-galactose induced aging mice skin tissues, and to observe the effect in postponing skin aging.
METHODS: Forty-four 2-month-old Kunming mice were randomly divided into four groups: normal control group, aging model group, vitamin E group, and Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharide group. Rats in the last three groups received subcutaneous injection (nape area) of Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharide to establish rat aging models, and intragastric administration of corresponding drugs or saline was performed. After 42 days, pathological sections of back skin were obtained to assess the morphological changes of skin tissues, measure the epidermal and dermal thickness, and detect the superoxide dismutase levels and the expression of CuZn-superoxide dismutase mRNA.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The epidermal and dermal thickness in the vitamin E group and Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharide group were increased when compared with the aging model group. The superoxide dismutase levels in the Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharide group were significantly higher than those in the other two groups. The decreased degree of cycle threshold value in the Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharide group was lower than that in the other two groups. The results indicate that Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharide can increase the epidermal and dermal thickness, improve the skin tissue structure, and enhance the superoxide dismutase levels and the expression of CuZn-superoxide dismutase mRNA.

Key words: skin aging, superoxide dismutase, galactose, RNA, messenger