Protective effects of topical and oral Ganoderma lucidum extracts against ultraviolet B-induced cataract development.

Protective effects of topical and oral Ganoderma lucidum extracts against ultraviolet B-induced cataract development and chemical ocular surface injury in a rat model.

Umay Güvenç, Serkan Akkaya, Hande Hüsniye Telek, Nihat Yumuşak, Hatice Betül Kaya, Ayşe Burcu

Exp Eye Res

Jun 30, 2026

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Abstract

PURPOSE: To evaluate protective and therapeutic effects of oral and topical Ganoderma lucidum in a rat model of ultraviolet B (UVB)- and sodium hydroxide (NaOH)-induced ocular injury. METHODS: Twenty-eight male Sprague-Dawley rats were allocated to sham, injury, oral G. lucidum, and topical G. lucidum groups. Injury was induced by daily UVB exposure (311 nm; total dose of 5.4 kJ/m) for five days, with a single NaOH eyelid application. G. lucidum was administered orally (200 mg/kg/day) or topically (1% gel, twice daily) for 10 days. Ocular surface and lens scores, tear breakup time (TBUT), Schirmer values, histopathological findings and corneal malondialdehyde (MDA) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels were assessed. RESULTS: Both treatments improved ocular surface outcomes compared with injury, with more consistent effects after topical therapy. By day 10, eyelid, corneal, and conjunctival scores were significantly lower in the topical group than in the injury and oral groups (p = 0.001). Topical treatment resulted in higher TBUT and Schirmer values than oral administration (p = 0.004; p = 0.001, respectively). Lens opacity scores were lower with topical therapy compared to injury (p = 0.002). Corneal stromal preservation was greater with topical than oral treatment (p = 0.007). Lens epithelial integrity was partially preserved with oral therapy and near-completely preserved with topical therapy, not differing from sham (p = 0.075). Both treatments showed lower corneal MDA levels and higher SOD activity than injury (p = 0.003, oral; p = 0.002, topical), with more pronounced effects in the topical than the oral group (p = 0.003). CONCLUSIONS: Ganoderma lucidum attenuated ocular surface and UVB-related lenticular damage, with topical administration providing more consistent therapeutic benefit.