Trung Quang Nguyen 1 , Thinh Van Pham 2 , Yusuf Andriana 3 and Minh Ngoc Truong 4,5,*

1 Institute of Environmental Science and Public Health, 18 Hoang Quoc Viet Street, Cau Giay, Hanoi 11353, Vietnam; 该Email地址已收到反垃圾邮件插件保护。要显示它您需要在浏览器中启用JavaScript。

2 Faculty of Tourism and Culinary, Ho Chi Minh City University of Industry and Trade, Ho Chi Minh City 70000, Vietnam; 该Email地址已收到反垃圾邮件插件保护。要显示它您需要在浏览器中启用JavaScript。

3 Research Center for Appropriate Technology, Indonesian Institute of Sciences, Subang 41213, Indonesia; 该Email地址已收到反垃圾邮件插件保护。要显示它您需要在浏览器中启用JavaScript。

4 Center for High Technology Research and Development, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, 18 Hoang Quoc Viet Street, Cau Giay, Hanoi 100000, Vietnam

5 Graduate University of Science and Technology, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, 18 Hoang Quoc Viet Street, Cau Giay, Hanoi 100000, Vietnam

* Correspondence: 该Email地址已收到反垃圾邮件插件保护。要显示它您需要在浏览器中启用JavaScript。

Academic Editor: Shige Wang

Received: 9 December 2024

Revised: 23 December 2024

Accepted: 25 December 2024

Published: 3 January 2025

Citation: Nguyen, T.Q.; Van Pham, T.;Andriana, Y.; Truong, M.N. Cordyceps militaris-Derived Bioactive Gels: Therapeutic and Anti-Aging Applications in Dermatology. Gels

2025, 11, 33. https://doi.org/ 10.3390/gels11010033

Copyright: © 2025 by the authors.

Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.

This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license

(https://creativecommons.org/ licenses/by/4.0/)

Abstract: Cordyceps militaris is a medicinal mushroom widely utilized in traditional East Asian medicine, recognized for its diverse therapeutic properties. This review explores the potential of C. militaris-derived bioactive gels for applications in dermatology and skincare, with a particular focus on their therapeutic and anti-aging benefits. In response to the rising incidence of skin cancers and the growing demand for natural bioactive ingredients, C. militaris has emerged as a valuable source of functional compounds, including cordycepin, polysaccharides, and adenosine. These compounds exhibit multiple bioactivities, including apoptosis induction, cell cycle arrest, and anti-inflammatory effects, which have been shown to be particularly effective against melanoma and other skin cancers. Additionally, the antioxidant properties of C. militaris enhance skin resilience by scavenging reactive oxygen species, reducing oxidative stress, and promoting collagen synthesis, thereby addressing skin health and anti-aging requirements. The potential for incorporating C. militaris compounds into gel-based formulations for skincare is also examined, either as standalone bioactives or in combination with synergistic ingredients. Emphasis is placed on the necessity of clinical trials and standardization to establish the safety, efficacy, and reproducibility of such applications. By providing a safer alternative to synthetic agents, C. militaris-derived bioactive gels represent a promising advancement indermatology and skincare.

Keywords: anti-aging; bioactive compounds; Cordyceps militaris; dermatology; skincare; therapeutic properties