The Effects of a Powder of the Fruiting Body of Commercial Lingzhi or Reishi Medicinal Mushroom Ganoderma Lucidum on Hypercholesterolemic Rat Skin, Applied With a Topical Application of Benzo(a)pyrene

The study investigated the anti-tumor effects of Ganoderma lucidum fruiting body powder on hypercholesterolemic Sprague Dawley rats exposed to benzo(a)pyrene. Over 6 months, 24 rats were divided into four groups: Control, 1% cholesterol diet (Chol), 1% G. lucidum powder (GF), and cholesterol with G. lucidum powder (Chol+GF). Results showed that the Chol+GF group had lower body weight compared to the Chol group. The GF group exhibited significantly lower serum total cholesterol, triglycerides, and low-density lipoprotein levels, but higher high-density lipoprotein cholesterol than the Chol group. Malondialdehyde levels were significantly reduced in the Chol+GF group. Histological analysis revealed normal hair growth and follicles in the GF and Chol+GF groups, suggesting that G. lucidum powder might be an effective cancer chemopreventive agent for skin.