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Anti-skin aging effects of black ginseng extracts through regulating inflammatory factors and the CLOCK-ERK pathway
Yufei Huang1, Bing Wang2, Yu Jin1
1Department of Histology and Embryology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, 116044, China.
Background:
Continuous light exposure can accelerate immunosenescence-like state. The increase of TNF-α and IL-1β impairs clock gene functions and circadian rhythm disorder contributes to the path of biological aging.
Methods:
This study evaluated the effects of an aqueous extract of black ginseng (BG) on clock gene regulation in aging mice accompanied by circadian rhythm disorders to clarify its antiaging mechanism in the skin. D-gal-induced the mouse embryonic fibroblast (MEF) cells were treated with Ginsenoside Rg3. In vivo, aging senescence was induced by subcutaneous injection of D-gal combined with a light environment. The treatment groups were injected intraperitoneally with BG extract. Polygala tenuifolia (PT) extract served as a positive control.
Results:
We found that Rg3, one of the active ingredients of the BG extract, increased the antioxidant capacity and decreased the expression of β-galactosidase and the mRNA levels of p16, p21, TNF-α and IL-1β. Drug-disease-target network pharmacological analysis revealed that the TNF signaling pathway is involved in the anti-skin aging effects of both BG and PT. We verified that BG or PT reversed the changes in the levels of IL-1β, TNF-α, clock and p-ERK1/2 in aged and circadian rhythm-disturbed mice.
Conclusions:
The present study demonstrated that the extracts of BG and PT played similar roles in an anti-skin aging. The possible mechanism involves the inhibition of oxidative stress (OS) and inflammation, which can lead to change clock genes and drive epidermal differentiation of epidermal stem cells (ESCs) through the activation of ERK to cause ESCs depletion and skin aging.
Insights
Black ginseng extract and Polygala tenuifolia extract show anti-skin aging effects by reducing inflammation and oxidative stress. These natural compounds help regulate clock genes, crucial for preventing skin aging and maintaining cellular health.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Dermatology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Continuous light exposure accelerates immunosenescence and biological aging.
- Increased TNF-α and IL-1β levels impair clock gene function, contributing to circadian rhythm disorders and aging.
- Circadian rhythm disruption is linked to accelerated aging processes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the anti-skin aging effects of black ginseng (BG) extract.
- To investigate BG's mechanism on clock gene regulation in aging mice with circadian rhythm disorders.
- To clarify the antiaging properties of BG and its active compound, Ginsenoside Rg3.
Main Methods:
- In vitro: Mouse embryonic fibroblast (MEF) cells treated with Ginsenoside Rg3.
- In vivo: Aging and circadian rhythm disorder induced by D-galactose and light exposure in mice.
- Treatment with BG extract or Polygala tenuifolia (PT) extract (positive control).
Main Results:
- Ginsenoside Rg3 increased antioxidant capacity and decreased senescence markers (β-galactosidase, p16, p21).
- Network pharmacology identified the TNF signaling pathway as key for BG and PT anti-skin aging effects.
- BG and PT reversed changes in IL-1β, TNF-α, clock genes, and p-ERK1/2 in aged mice.
Conclusions:
- BG and PT extracts exhibit similar anti-skin aging effects.
- The mechanism involves inhibiting oxidative stress and inflammation, thereby modulating clock genes.
- This process prevents epidermal stem cell depletion and subsequent skin aging.
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