A new study by Chinese researchers has found that a blend of three botanicals can restore immune function in rats under simulated microgravity. The formula, labeled Ganoderma-Rhodiola Compound Preparation (GRCP), is made from Ganoderma lucidum, Rhodiola rosea, and Paecilomyces hepiali mycelium.
The research, published in Model Organisms Research, highlights a potential nutritional solution for astronauts on long space missions. It also suggests benefits for people on Earth, including those who are bedridden, elderly, or sedentary.
Simulated Microgravity and Immune Response
Long-duration space missions weaken the immune system, while microorganisms like Escherichia coli become more virulent in low-gravity conditions. The study used a “two-hit” model: rats were tail-suspended for four weeks to simulate microgravity and given E. coli directly to the stomach, while receiving GRCP daily.
Rats treated with GRCP showed lower markers of inflammation in the blood and gut lining. The internal structure of the spleen remained intact, and the NF-κB/RelA biological switch, which drives inflammation, was suppressed. The effect was most pronounced at the highest dose tested.
Space Nutrition Innovations
As space programs plan longer missions, such as those following the Artemis II launch, health and nutrition challenges for astronauts are growing. Current space meals consist of dried, shelf-stable items, but scientists are exploring fortified beverages to address nutrient gaps.
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A separate study in ACS Food Science & Technology developed drinks using emulsions stable in both Earth’s gravity and microgravity. These formulas deliver omega-3 fatty acids with customizable flavors and sweetness levels.
India also conducted its first food and nutrition experiments aboard the International Space Station as part of the Axiom Mission 4, focusing on sustainable human living in space.
Broader Implications
The GRCP formula’s success in rats suggests a multitarget approach to immune regulation, leveraging the principles of traditional Chinese medicine. While designed for spaceflight, its applications may extend to various populations on Earth facing immune decline.
Corresponding author Yu-Lin Deng notes, “What we designed for the demands of spaceflight rests on a mechanism that is not specific to space — an innovation born for space that may end up helping far more people on the ground.”
