Panax Ginseng Root Extract Exhibits Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Properties by Diminishing Oxidative Stress Levels and Modulating the NF-κB Signaling Pathway at Both the Cellular and Tissue Levels in the Skin

Abstract

Background Panax ginseng root extract (PGRE), rich in bioactive ginsenosides, has been widely recognized for its potential health benefits. However, its skincare efficacy, particularly in anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities, remains to be fully elucidated. Objectives This study aimed to evaluate the skincare efficacy of PGRE using primary keratinocytes and a 3D human epidermal model (EpiKutis ® ), focusing on its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and barrier repair mechanisms. Methods The cytotoxicity of PGRE was assessed at a concentration of 50 μg/mL, and its anti-inflammatory effects were evaluated by measuring the suppression of IL-1α, PGE2, and NF-κB activation. The antioxidant activity of PGRE was tested under 4-HNE-induced oxidative stress by quantifying reactive oxygen species (ROS) reduction. Additionally, the modulation of the NF-κB signaling pathway was investigated to understand its role in mitigating inflammatory feedback loops. Results PGRE at 50 μg/mL showed no cytotoxicity (>80% cell viability) and demonstrated potent anti-inflammatory effects by suppressing IL-1α (34.17%), PGE2 (20.70%), and NF-κB activation (43.65%). Under oxidative stress conditions, PGRE significantly reduced ROS levels by 51.6%, highlighting its strong anti-carbonylation activity. Furthermore, PGRE effectively modulated the NF-κB signaling pathway, mitigating inflammatory feedback loops and underscoring its multitarget mechanism in anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities. Conclusion PGRE exhibits significant anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, making it a promising natural ingredient for anti-aging and anti-inflammatory skincare formulations. These findings suggest that PGRE could play a vital role in barrier repair and inflammation modulation. Further clinical studies are warranted to validate these in vitro results and to explore the role of NF-κB in PGRE's anti-inflammatory and barrier repair mechanisms.