From Reshaped Metabolome to Repaired Skin: Fermented Gastrodia elata Alleviates UVB-Induced Damage Through Controlled...

UVB radiation induces cutaneous damage through oxidative stress and immune dysregulation. This study investigated the therapeutic potential of Gastrodia elata fermented by Lactobacillus salivarius AACE1 (GL) in a mouse model of UVB-induced skin injury. Results demonstrated that GL treatment significantly improved skin morphology, enhanced antioxidant activities (SOD and GSH), reduced oxidative damage (MDA), and balanced inflammatory mediators by upregulating TGF-β and IL-10 while downregulating TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β. Transcriptomic analysis revealed that GL specifically activated NOD-like receptor signaling pathway components (Nlrp3, Casp4, and Gbp2/5) while inducing Tnfaip3 to establish negative feedback control. Metabolomic profiling confirmed that fermentation transformed the metabolite landscape, enriching collagen-related dipeptides, antimicrobial/anti-inflammatory metabolites, and antioxidant cofactors. Importantly, comparative analysis showed that GL is more effective than vitamin E in coordinating multiple signaling pathways and maintaining inflammatory homeostasis. These findings establish GL as an effective natural product that alleviates UVB-induced skin damage through synchronized metabolic remodeling and controlled immune activation.