Effect of ginseng and ginsenosides on melanogenesis and their mechanism of action

Abstract

Abnormal changes in skin color induce significant cosmetic problems and affect quality of life. There are two groups of abnormal change in skin color; hyperpigmentation and hypopigmentation. Hyperpigmentation, darkening skin color by excessive pigmentation, is a major concern for Asian people with yellow–brown skin. A variety of hypopigmenting agents have been used, but treating the hyperpigmented condition is still challenging and the results are often discouraging. Panax ginseng has been used traditionally in eastern Asia to treat various diseases, due to its immunomodulatory, neuroprotective, antioxidative, and antitumor activities. Recently, several reports have shown that extract, powder, or some constituents of ginseng could inhibit melanogenesis in vivo or in vitro. The underlying mechanisms of antimelanogenic properties in ginseng or its components include the direct inhibition of key enzymes of melanogenesis, inhibition of transcription factors or signaling pathways involved in melanogenesis, decreasing production of inducers of melanogenesis, and enhancing production of antimelanogenic factor. Although there still remain some controversial issues surrounding the antimelanogenic activity of ginseng, especially in its effect on production of proinflammatory cytokines and nitric oxide, these recent findings suggest that ginseng and its constituents might be potential candidates for novel skin whitening agents.

The development of a green approach for the biosynthesis of silver and gold nanoparticles by usingPanax ginsengroot extract, and their biological applications

“…In addition, the ginsenoside polymer conjugates was reported for better effi cacies (Mathiyalagan et al 2014). Th e root of the P. ginseng plant has been the main component used for medicinal purposes, due to its ginsenoside composition (Shi et al 2007, Kim et al 2015. Th us, in our study, we focused on the fresh root of the P. ginseng plant for the biosynthesis of silver and gold nanoparticles.…”

Beauty food activities of wild-cultivated Ginseng (Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer) ground part

“…또한, 산양삼은 미 용 활성을 가지는 식물소재로, 뿌리 부분을 이용하여 자외선 차 단 (Lee 등, 2003;Kang 등, 2009), 미백효과 (Kim 2015), 아토 피 완화효과 (Park 등, 2010), 피부 탄력 (Gezzi 등, 1986), 수화 성 증가 (Curri 등, 1986) 및 주름생성 억제 (Kim 등, 2007;Kwok 등, 2012 Keywords 미백효과·미용식품·산양삼·주름개선·항산화 활성…”

Chinese Ginseng

“…Fresh ginseng harvested at less than 4 years is of least pharmacological interest. Red ginseng, harvested at 6 years or older, requires repetitive steaming of the fresh ginseng root at 98-100°C for 2-3 h; it is then dried until the moisture content is reduced to less than 15% (Awang and Li, 2008;Gui and Ryu, 2014;Kim, 2015). The root of P. ginseng harvested after 5 years or more contains approximately 1-2% ginsenosides (Bucci, 2000;Hong et al, 2012).…”

“…The possible molecular mechanisms involve the actions of the molecule on different signaling pathways that can lead to antiangiogenesis, antimetastasis, and cancer cell apoptosis (Kitts and Hu, 2000;Yang et al, 2011;Kim, 2015). Aberrant angiogenesis is an essential step for the progression of solid tumors.…”