Improved Antioxidative, Anti-Inflammatory, and Antimelanogenic Effects of Fermented Hydroponic Ginseng with Bacillus Strains

Abstract

Compared with traditionally cultured ginseng, hydroponic ginseng (HG) contains more remarkable bioactive compounds, which are known to exert diverse functional effects. This study aimed to enhance the multifunctional effects, including the antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, and antimelanogenic effects, exhibited by fermented HG with Bacillus strains, such as Bacillus subtilis KU43, Bacillus subtilis KU201, Bacillus polyfermenticus SCD, and Bacillus polyfermenticus KU3, at 37 °C for 48 h. After fermentation by B. subtilis KU201, the antioxidant activity, determined using ABTS and FRAP assays, increased from 25.30% to 51.34% and from 132.10% to 236.27%, respectively, accompanied by the enhancement of the phenolic compounds and flavonoids. The inflammation induced in RAW 264.7 cells by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was ameliorated with fermented HG, which regulated the nitric oxide (NO), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), and proinflammatory markers (tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-6). The treatment with fermented HG inhibited the melanin accumulation in B16F10 cells induced by α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH) by controlling the concentrations of melanin synthesis and tyrosinase activity. These results indicate that the HG exhibited stronger antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, and antimelanogenic effects after fermentation. Consequently, HG fermented by Bacillus strains can potentially be used as an ingredient in cosmetological and pharmaceutical applications.

Anti-Inflammation and Anti-Melanogenic Effects of Maca Root Extracts Fermented Using Lactobacillus Strains

“…Therefore, in this study, we tried to verify the skin-whitening effect of maca root. Especially, fermented plant extracts have better antioxidant, anti-melanogenic, anti-inflammatory, and anti-wrinkle effects compared with non-fermented plant extracts [ 66 , 67 , 68 , 69 ]. Fermented red ginseng showed whitening and anti-wrinkle effects [ 70 ], whereas fermented Fructus acrtii extracts suppressed the expression of MMP-1 in human fibroblasts (HDFs), and fermented hydroponic ginseng showed improved antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-melanin production [ 67 ].…”

“…Especially, fermented plant extracts have better antioxidant, anti-melanogenic, anti-inflammatory, and anti-wrinkle effects compared with non-fermented plant extracts [ 66 , 67 , 68 , 69 ]. Fermented red ginseng showed whitening and anti-wrinkle effects [ 70 ], whereas fermented Fructus acrtii extracts suppressed the expression of MMP-1 in human fibroblasts (HDFs), and fermented hydroponic ginseng showed improved antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-melanin production [ 67 ]. Furthermore, fermented unpolished black rice ( Oryza sativa L.) and fermented Viola mandshurica inhibited melanogenesis in B16F10 [ 71 , 72 ], while fermented soybean extracts showed higher antioxidant and skin-whitening effects than those in a non-fermented condition [ 73 ].…”

Recent Applications of Melanin-like Nanoparticles as Antioxidant Agents

“…It is very interesting to underline that melanin is one of the few materials that is already present in organisms in the form of nanoaggregates. Although the AOX properties of natural melanin are well documented [ 66 , 67 , 68 , 69 , 70 , 71 , 72 , 73 , 74 , 75 , 76 , 77 ], and in addition to the ubiquitous presence of melanin in nature, its most recent and promising application is based on the development of synthetic analogs [ 78 ]. The main reason for this is that melanin-like materials can be easily produced from low cost and biocompatible precursors via very versatile and environmentally friendly processes [ 79 , 80 ].…”

Expression of Multicopy Tandem Recombinant Ginseng Hexapeptide in Bacillus subtilis and the Evaluation of Antiaging Activity

“…It is reported that more than 90 ginseng peptides with potential biological activities based on MS-based data mining and sequencing have been identified . In recent years, an increasing number of GOPs have been identified through HPLC-MS as known amino acid sequences with good antioxidant, antiaging, memory-improving, anti-inflammatory, and lipid-lowering effects. − Besides, GOPs have the ability to extend the lifespan of Caenorhabditis elegans cultured in cholesterol-feeding media and can suppress cellular senescence induced by oxidative stress via the NAD + /SIRT1/PGC-1α pathway. − The monomers of ginseng peptides, ITGYAP, LTGYAP, ITGYPA, and LTGYPA, have also been proven to delay neurodegenerative disease, AD, caused by oxidative stress . In view of the excellent antioxidant and antiaging properties of ginseng peptides, we have selected the hexapeptide of plant origin, EHGEYE, which also has strong anti-inflammatory properties. ,,, …”