Ganoderma lucidum not only aids in anti-tumor activities but also shows promise in preventing stress-induced hair loss. A May 2024 study published in iScience by Professor Ohsang Kwon and colleagues from Seoul National University College of Medicine, Dermatology Department, indicated that Ganoderma lucidum extract can prevent premature aging of hair follicles caused by stress, mitigating the risk of hair thinning or baldness.
When faced with overwhelming stress, the body releases a cascade of hormones to reallocate energy resources and address immediate threats. Corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH), secreted by the hypothalamus, is a primary stress hormone that not only mobilizes other hormones but also reaches hair follicles, accelerating their aging and impairing hair growth.
Hair growth requires the coordinated effort of various cell types within the hair follicle. Key players include dermal papilla cells (DPCs) that receive and transmit hair growth signals, outer root sheath cells (ORSCs) that surround the hair root and, together with hair follicle stem cells, promote the transition from the resting to the growth phase, and hair matrix cells that are responsible for producing new hair.
Hair follicle structure diagram
Experiment 1: Ganoderma lucidum Inhibits Hair Follicle Aging.
In this in vitro study, three types of cells were isolated from scalp tissue donated by five adults. Results showed that when dermal papilla cells (DPCs) and outer root sheath cells (ORSCs) were treated with CRH for 48 heures, there was a significant increase in senescent cells (cells expressing the senescence marker SA-β-Gal). However, when Ganoderma lucidum (GL) extract was added simultaneously, the number of senescent cells remained at normal levels.
The experiment results demonstrate that Ganoderma lucidum (GL) extract effectively inhibits CRH-induced senescence in hair follicles.
Experiment 2: Ganoderma lucidum protects hair follicle vitality.
Results showed that CRH inhibited the differentiation ability of hair papilla (as indicated by decreased alkaline phosphatase, ALP, expression) and reduced the proliferation of hair matrix cells (as indicated by decreased Ki-67 expression). However, co-treatment with Ganoderma lucidum (GL) extract mitigated these effects (Chiffre 2), suggesting that Ganoderma lucidum extract enhances hair follicle resistance to stress and preserves hair follicle vitality.
Ganoderma lucidum (GL) extract can protect hair follicle vitality under the threat of CRH.
Experiment 3: Ganoderma lucidum maintains hair growth vitality.
To further simulate hair growth in vitro, dermal papilla cells were co-cultured with outer root sheath cells to form elongated two-cell assemblages (TCAs). The lengths of TCAs were compared after 5 days of treatment with CRH in the presence or absence of Ganoderma lucidum (GL) extrait. The results demonstrated that GL extract could indeed counteract the inhibitory effect of CRH and maintain the vitality of hair growth.
Ganoderma lucidum (GL) extract can alleviate the inhibitory effects of corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) on hair growth vitality.
The mechanism by which Ganoderm lucidum protects hair follicles involves the elimination of free radicals and induction of cell apoptosis.
Pourquoi peut-on Ganoderm lucidum (GL) extract counteract follicular aging induced by stress? According to the analysis of this study, CRH promotes the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) free radicals, which in turn activate aging-related genes (p16, p21), and can even increase the activity of molecules associated with “pro-apoptosis” (JNK, c-jun, Erk1/2, and p38). GL can mitigate the impact of corticotropin-releasing hormone(CRH) by scavenging ROS free radicals and inhibiting the activation of pro-apoptotic molecules.
Schematic diagram of the mechanism by which Ganoderma lucidum (GL) extract alleviates stress-induced aging of hair follicle cells
The active ingredient of Ganoderma lucidum that protects hair follicles: Triterpènes de Ganoderma lucidum
This study has revealed the potential of Ganoderma lucidum in protecting hair-follicle growth. But what exactly is the Ganoderma lucidum with such a function? Further investigation based on the information provided in this report revealed that theGanoderma lucidum (GL) extract used in the experiment was an ethyl acetate fraction further extracted from an ethanol extract of Ganoderma lucidum fructifications, with ganoderic acid A as its marker compound.
The ethanol extract of Ganoderma lucidum fruiting bodies is rich in Ganoderma lucidum triterpènes. Autrement dit, the active ingredient responsible for protecting hair follicles against stress in the aforementioned experiment originated from these triterpenes. Fait intéressant, when Ganoderma lucidum triterpenes encounter senescent cancer cells, they eliminate them efficiently, as demonstrated in another study titled “Senolytic Effect of Ganoderma lucidum Triterpenoids on HCC Cells.”
It’s clear that triterpenes from Ganoderma lucidum are not indiscriminate. Plutôt, they exhibit selectivity, protecting normal cells while eliminating abnormal ones. The remarkable properties of Ganoderma lucidum triterpenes are indeed intriguing.
Note: In the figures of this article, * p < 0.05, ** p < 0.01, *** p < 0.001, and **** p < 0.0001 indicate significant differences between the two groups being compared. The smaller the p-value, the greater the significance of the difference.
[Source] Sunhyoung Lee, et autres. Ganoderma lucidum extract attenuates corticotropin-releasing hormone-induced cellular senescence in human hair follicle cells. iScience. 2024; 27(5):109675.
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★ The original manuscript of this article was authored in Chinese by Wu Tingyao and subsequently translated into English by Alfred Liu. In the event of any inconsistencies between the English translation and the original Chinese text, the latter shall take precedence. For any queries, pls reach out to the original author, MS. Wu Tingyao.
