Biological Effects of Yeast-fermented Plant Root Extract Mixture on Skin Cells

Abstract

Purpose: To verify the biological effects including anti-aging and anti-inflammatory effects, of fermented plant root extract mixtures that were measured in vitro.Method: To select the most effective plant root extract, the effects of DPPH free radical scavenging were measured. The mixture (MC) of selected plant roots was fermented with Saccharomyces cerevisiae (S. cerevisiae) (MF). Reverse transcription (RT)-PCR was performed on human dermal fibroblast to measure the effects of MC and MF on the mRNA expression of COL1A1 and hyaluronic acid synthase 2 (HAS2) and on the anti-inflammatory-related gene expressions such as cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor-necrosis factor (TNF)-α. Additionally, we also tested the cell renewal and proliferation for skin cell migration. Student's t-test was performed for statistical analysis, and results were expressed as mean ± standard deviation.Results: Among 15 root extracts, those of Taraxacum officinale (T. officinale) rhizome, Arctium lappa (A. lappa), Anemarrhena asphodeloides (A. asphodeloides), Pueraria lobata (P. lobata), and Nelumbo nucifera (N. nucifera) were selected based on the effect of DPPH free radical scavenging. The mRNA expression levels of COL1A1 and HAS2 were increased by MC and MF in a concentration-dependent manner. MC and MF showed cell renewal and proliferation. Inflammation-related genes were inhibited by MC or MF in a concentration-dependent manner (TNF-α, IL-6, and COX-2). MF showed significantly better efficacy than MC.Conclusion: Mixed root extracts of T. officinale rhizome/root, A. lappa, A. asphodeloides, P. lobata, and N. nucifera fermented with S. cerevisiae enable cell renewal, have anti-aging and anti-inflammatory effects, and can be used as an active cosmetic raw materials.