The mechanism of black ginseng extract in alleviating inflammatory aging

Skin aging is a complex biological process influenced by both intrinsic factors, such as genetic programming and hormonal changes, and extrinsic factors, including ultraviolet radiation and environmental pollutants. Regardless of the initiating cause, accumulating evidence has indicated that chronic, low-grade inflammation plays a central role in accelerating skin aging. The concept of inflammatory aging describes a persistent pro-inflammatory state characterized by elevated levels of cytokines and mediators that progressively impair tissue structure and function. In the skin, inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) have been shown to upregulate matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1), a key enzyme responsible for collagen degradation, ultimately leading to wrinkle formation and loss of skin elasticity.

In this context, the present study investigated the potential of black ginseng extract (BGE) to mitigate inflammatory aging and explored its underlying mechanisms. Black ginseng is a uniquely processed form of Panax ginseng, produced through repeated steaming and drying cycles. This process results in the conversion of conventional ginsenosides into rare ginsenosides, such as Rg3, Rg5, and RK1, which are known to exhibit enhanced biological activities compared with those found in white or red ginseng. While black ginseng has been increasingly applied in health foods and nutraceuticals, its mechanistic role in skin anti-aging, particularly in inflammation-driven aging, has remained insufficiently characterized.

Using human foreskin fibroblasts, the study demonstrated that BGE effectively reduced MMP-1 expression at a low concentration of 4 μg/mL, suggesting its ability to protect collagen integrity under inflammatory conditions. To better simulate the structural and functional characteristics of human skin, a reconstructed 3D skin model was employed. In this model, SDS-induced damage triggered an inflammatory response marked by elevated PGE₂ secretion. Treatment with 0.1% BGE significantly suppressed PGE₂ levels while simultaneously enhancing the expression of TIMP-1, an endogenous inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinases. These findings indicated that BGE could restore the balance between matrix degradation and inhibition, thereby contributing to the maintenance of skin homeostasis.

In addition to experimental validation, the study combined high-performance liquid chromatography with molecular docking analysis to further elucidate the molecular basis of BGE’s activity. The identification of rare ginsenosides and their favorable binding affinities to proteins involved in inflammatory aging provided mechanistic support at the molecular level. Overall, this integrative approach demonstrated that black ginseng extract exerted anti-inflammatory and anti-aging effects through multiple pathways, reinforcing its potential as a scientifically supported active ingredient for cosmetic and dermatological applications.