Chemical analysis of Hericium erinaceum polysaccharides and effect of the polysaccharides on derma antioxidant enzymes, MMP-1 and TIMP-1 activities

Hericium erinaceum was a traditional edible mushroom in Asia. In this study, we extracted polysaccharides from H. erinaceum. HPLC analysis indicated that H. erinaceum polysaccharides were mainly composed of glucose and galactose. The FT-IR spectra of H. erinaceum polysaccharides showed characteristic absorption bands of polysaccharides. The pharmacological properties of H. erinaceum polysaccharides were investigated in aged rats. Results showed that H. erinaceum polysaccharides significantly enhanced skin antioxidant enzymes, MMP-1, TIMP-1 activities and collagen protein levels in a dose-dependent manner. It can be concluded that H. erinaceum polysaccharides possess anti-skin-aging activities.