Identification and Characterization of the Anti-Aging Activity and Mechanism of Ganoderma Lucidum

The aging process is linked to the development of age-related disease and therefore considered a health risk factor detrimental to active aging. Recently, multiple synthetic and natural product-derived compounds have shown promise in retarding the aging process and mitigating the debilitating effect of aging and related diseases. Of these natural products, medicinal mushrooms have long been in the spotlight for their potential in retarding the aging process. One of these mushroom species, Ganoderma lucidum (G. lucidum; GL), has been revealed in our preliminary study to possess activity that suppresses the phosphorylation of mTOR, induces autophagy, and downregulates signaling via the IGF-1 signaling pathway. We therefore plan to investigate the anti-aging compound(s) of medicinal mushrooms of G. lucidum and identify the mechanism(s) of action responsible for the activity. The questions are: (1) What active compound(s) are responsible for the anti-aging activity of G. lucidum; and (2) What are the mechanism(s) of action of these anti-aging compound(s). These aims elucidating the demonstrated anti-aging activity of G. lucidum in traditional medical treatment have not been extensively explored. The specific aims are as follows:Aim 1. Investigate the molecular mechanism of the aging-retardation activity of the active fraction of G. lucidumAim 2. Identify the active compound(s) of G. lucidum responsible for its activity on retardation of agingAim 3. Elucidate the targeting molecular mechanism of the aging-retardation activity of G. lucidum identified in Aim 2Aim 4. Demonstrate in vivo the aging-retardation activity and longevity-promoting effect of the active fraction and the active compound(s) of G. lucidum in the C. elegans modelUnderstanding the responsible factors and the underlying molecular mechanism(s) against the aging process may open a new avenue for future treatment of diseases related to aging or senescence through modulation of the aging process. With these insights, the ultimate goal of active aging may be achieved.

Project ID:PC10908-0223
External Project ID:MOST109-2635-B182-003