Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum) may offer another immune-boosting anti-inflammatory properties for skin cells. Such anti-inflammatory properties are commonly attributed to the mushroom’s active ingredient ganoderic acid. A recent development in processing using freeze-drying technology demonstrates retention of antidiabetic and antioxidant properties in reishi mushrooms.
According to Korea’s leading research team at the Institute of Science and Technology, a set of delicate optimal processing requirements is essential in preventing the disappearance of this and other active ingredients due to prolonged exposure to hot temperatures which frequently occur during the artificial drying process.
Given the hard texture of the mushroom, it is commonly ingested in powder or liquid form. However, its active ingredient is destroyed when the mushroom is dried for an extended period of time or the extraction is performed at high heat (80 °C or higher). The particular freeze-drying methodology is currently being patented. If proven successful, it might offer a substantial advantage to the healing properties of reishi. It may also render a lot of reishi products already in the market a lot less effective.
The research team could observe strong effects of suppressing inflammation when they treated skin keratinocytes, commonly known to cause skin inflammation, with the process-specific reishi extract rich in ganoderic acid.
The Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST) announced that a team led by Dr. Ho-Youn Kim of the Smart Farm Research Center of the Gangneung Natural Products Informatics Center determined the conditions for enhancing the anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, and antioxidant effects of Ganoderma lucidum and confirmed its marketability as an anti-inflammatory agent for the skin.
This study offers results that may impact the quality of antioxidant, antidiabetic, and anti-inflammatory properties of ganoderma lucidum as well as help shape processing techniques and products from this mushroom in the near future. Specific fields of application include therapies targeting inflammatory skin conditions such as dermatitis and psoriasis.