Protective Activity and Underlying Mechanism of Ginseng Seeds against UVB-Induced Damage in Human Fibroblasts.

Huijin Heo,Hana Lee,Heon Sang Jeong,Jinwoo Yang,Junsoo Lee,Younghwa Kim,Jeehye Sung

doi:10.3390/antiox10030403

Abstract

Ginseng seeds are rich in phytosterols, ginsenosides, and fatty acids, and can therefore be used in skincare to delay the aging process. Ginseng seed embryo (GSE) and ginseng seed coat (GSC) were separated from ginseng seeds (Panax ginseng Meyer). This study evaluated the protective activity and underlying mechanism of GSE and GSC on UVB irradiation-induced skin photoaging using Hs68 cells. Their bioactive compounds, including phytosterols, ginsenosides, tocopherols, tocotrienols, and fatty acids were determined by HPLC and GC. The levels of reactive oxygen species, matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), and collagen levels were measured in human dermal fibroblast cell line, Hs68 cells. The antioxidant capacity and contents of total polyphenols and flavonoids were higher in GSC than those in GSE. Linoleic acid was the major fatty acid in both GSE and GSC. GSE and GSC treatment alleviated UVB-induced increase of reactive oxygen species (ROS), matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-1, and MMP-3, resulting in reduced collagen degradation. Increased UVB-mediated phosphorylation of mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) and activator protein-1 (AP-1) was inhibited by GSE and GSC treatment. Moreover, GSE and GSC effectively upregulated transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) 1 levels. It was found that ginseng seeds regulate the expression of TGF-β/Smad and MAPK/AP-1 pathways. Ginseng seeds contain various bioactive compounds and have protective activity against UVB-induced skin photoaging. Therefore, ginseng seeds have the potential for use in cosmeceutical preparations.

Highlights

Introduction published maps and institutional affilUVB radiation causes deleterious effects on human skin, including photoaging, sunburn, and cancer [1]
We evaluated the effects of ginseng seeds on reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation, matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) production, total collagen production, and regulation of mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK), activator protein-1 (AP-1), Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), and Smad expressions
The major fatty acids of Ginseng seed embryo (GSE) and ginseng seed coat (GSC) were linoleic acid (58% and 40%, respectively), followed by oleic acid (20% and 34%, respectively) and palmitic acid (16% and 11%, respectively). These results indicate that GSC showed higher antioxidant activities compared to GSE due to higher contents of total polyphenol content (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC)

Summary

Introduction

Introduction published maps and institutional affilUVB radiation causes deleterious effects on human skin, including photoaging, sunburn, and cancer [1]. Fibroblasts are the main cellular component of skin for the metabolism of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins, including procollagen, elastin, and fibronectin [2,3]. UVB irradiation increases reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and stimulates matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) expression in the fibroblasts, resulting in collagen degradation [4]. Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) binds to the specific receptor and induces the phosphorylation of Smad 2/3 protein [1,7]. Phosphorylated Smad 2/3 moves into the nucleus and promotes procollagen transcription [8]. Smad 7 was found to negatively regulate the TGF-β/Smad expression by inhibiting the activation of Smad 2/3 [9]. UVB irradiation inhibits procollagen synthesis by modulating the TGF-β/Smad pathways [10].

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Results

Conclusion