Journal of Taiwan Agricultural Research

Author:Shu-Hui Yang*, Jenn- Rong Yang and Yi-Shyan Chen

Abstract:

    The fruiting body of Tremella fuciformis Berk is a famous traditional food in Taiwan and China. The polysaccharides extracted from T. fuciformis have been reported to display several pharmacological activities. In this study, the moisturizing effect of Tremella polysaccharides were studied and its safety for use as a novel application of skin care was evaluated. Result showed that the molecular weight of Tremella polysaccharides is in between 2,000,000 and 5,000,000 dalton. The STO mouse embryonic fibroblast cells grew normally and its collagen synthesis increased when the culture medium was amended with 5-250 μg/mL Tremella polysaccharides. Tremella polysaccharides didn't cause malformation of tested L929 cells of mouse fibroblasts. The primary irritation index was zero and the overall response felled into the category ‘negligible’ for skin irritation test. When applying to skin for 180 minutes, the Tremella polysaccharides increased the ratio of the water content in the stratum corneum about 35-56% for normal skin and 25-44% for dry skin, respectively. This indicates that Tremella polysaccharides are safe for the development of a moisturizing product for skin care.

Key words:Tremella fuciformis, Polysaccharides, Cells toxicity, Moisturizing product

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