Abstract: Objective: To explore the immunoregulation effect of Ganoderma lucidum spore oil in aged mouse models induced by D-galactose and its anti-aging mechanisms. Methods: Aged mice were intragastrically administered with Ganoderma lucidum spore oil for 45 consecutive days to examine the change of SOD activity, CAT activity, spleen index and thoracic gland index. Meanwhile, the mRNA expression levels of C3 and P21 in mouse spleen and thymus were determined by semi-quantitative RT-PCR. Results: The SOD activity and CAT activity in DB (D-galactose + Ganoderma lucidum spore oil) group were much higher than those in DY (D-galactose + corn oil) group (P≤0.05). The spleen index and thoracic gland index in DB group were higher than those in DY group (P≤0.01). The mRNA expression levels of C3 in spleen and thymus was significantly higher in DB group than those in DY group (P≤0.05); similarly, the thymus mRNA expression levels of C3 in SB (normal saline + Ganoderma lucidum spore oil) group was significantly higher than that in SY (normal saline + corn oil) group (P≤0.05). Spleen P21 mRNA expression level was significantly lower in DB group compared with DY group (P≤0.05) and in SB group compared with SY group (P≤0.05). Conclusion: Ganoderma lucidum spore oil can improve spleen index and thoracic gland index, SOD activity and CAT activity. It also can stimulate the expression of C3 and inhibit the expression of P21, which may be one of the antioxidant mechanisms of Ganoderma lucidum spore oil.

Key words: Ganoderma lucidum spore oil, aging, immunity, mouse