MYCOLab Ai Logo - gold and army green

Evaluating the Application Potential of a Recombinant Ganoderma Protein as Bioactive Ingredients in Cosmetics

Summary

This research explores using a protein from the medicinal mushroom Ganoderma lucidum in skincare products. Scientists produced this protein in yeast cells and found it has strong antioxidant properties and can help lighten skin tone by reducing melanin production. The protein is safe for human skin cells and could be a natural alternative to existing skin-whitening ingredients. Impacts on everyday life: – Provides a new natural ingredient option for anti-aging and skin-whitening cosmetics – Offers a safer alternative to synthetic skin-lightening compounds – Could help reduce dark spots and hyperpigmentation in skin – Demonstrates how traditional medicinal mushrooms can be used in modern skincare – Shows potential for sustainable production of natural cosmetic ingredients

Background

Ganoderma lucidum (Lingzhi) is a medicinal mushroom known for various pharmaceutical functions including skin toning properties. While Ganoderma extracts are approved for cosmetic use in China, most active ingredients like polysaccharides and terpenoids are mixtures with variable activity. Fungal immunomodulatory proteins (FIPs) from Ganoderma have well-defined structures and therapeutic effects but occur in low natural quantities, necessitating biotechnology approaches for increased production.

Objective

To evaluate the application potential of a recombinant fungal immunomodulatory protein from Ganoderma lucidum (rFIP-glu) as a cosmetic ingredient by assessing its antioxidant abilities, effects on human keratinocytes and melanoma cells, and impact on melanin synthesis.

Results

rFIP-glu showed strong antioxidant activity with 84.5% DPPH radical scavenging at 6.0 mg/mL. It promoted HaCaT cell proliferation (124.3% viability at 48 μg/mL) while inhibiting B16 melanoma cells (80.7% viability). The protein reduced melanin synthesis by 16.8% at 500 μg/mL and inhibited tyrosinase activity by regulating MITF expression and down-regulating TYR and TYRP-1 genes.

Conclusion

rFIP-glu demonstrates potential as a cosmetic ingredient with significant antioxidant and skin-whitening properties. It functions by stimulating MITF levels while inhibiting the TYRP-1/TYR pathway, thereby reducing tyrosinase activity and melanogenesis. The protein shows promise as a bioactive ingredient for treating melanin deposition in cosmeceutical applications.
  • Published in:Molecules,
  • Study Type:Laboratory Research,
  • Source: 10.3390/molecules28073272
Scroll to Top