Improved Antioxidant, Anti-inflammatory, and Anti-adipogenic Properties of Hydroponic Ginseng Fermented by Leuconostoc mesenteroides KCCM 12010P

Abstract

Hydroponic ginseng (HPG) has been known to have various bio-functionalities, including an antioxidant effect. Recently, fermentation by lactic acid bacteria has been studied to enhance bio-functional activities in plants by biologically converting their chemical compounds. HPG roots and shoots were fermented with Leuconostoc mesenteroides KCCM 12010P isolated from kimchi. The total phenolic compounds, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-adipogenic effects of these fermented samples were evaluated in comparison with non-fermented samples (control). During 24 h fermentation of HPG roots and shoots, the viable number of cells increased to 7.50 Log colony forming unit (CFU)/mL. Total phenolic and flavonoid contents of the fermented HPG roots increased by 107.19% and 645.59%, respectively, compared to non-fermented HPG roots. The antioxidant activity of fermented HPG, as assessed by 2,2'-azino-bis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS), β-carotene-linoleic, and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assay, was also significantly enhanced. In an anti-inflammatory effect of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells, the nitric oxide content and the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) decreased when treated with fermented samples. Simultaneously, lipid accumulation in 3T3-L1 adipocyte was reduced when treated with fermented HPG. Fermentation by L. mesenteroides showed improved antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-adipogenic HPG effects. These results show that fermented HPG has potential for applications in the functional food industry.

Keywords: Panax ginseng; anti-adipogenic effect; anti-inflammatory effect; antioxidative effect; fermentation; hydroponic ginseng.

Figure 1

Growth curve (a) and pH (b) changes in hydroponic ginseng root and shoot during 24 h fermentation by Leuconostoc mesenteroides KCCM 12010P. Hydroponic ginseng (HPG) roots (●); HPG shoots (○).

Figure 2

Anti-inflammatory effect in RAW 264.7 cells treated with hydroponic ginseng fermented with Leuconostoc mesenteroides KCCM 12010P. 200 μg/mL; 100 μg/mL. Values are means ± standard deviation of triplicate experiments. Different letters indicate significant differences as determined by Duncan’s multiple range tests (p < 0.05).

Figure 3

Relative expression of inflammatory mediators in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells treated with hydroponic ginseng root. (a), Inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS); (b), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α); (c), interleukin-6 (IL-6); and (d), interleukin-1β (IL-1β). 200 μg/mL; 100 μg/mL. NF, non-fermented; F, fermented. Values are means ± standard deviation of triplicate experiments. Different letters in same column indicate significant differences as determined by Duncan’s multiple range tests (p < 0.05). Different letters (a, b, c, and d) represent significant differences among samples.

Figure 4

Relative expression of inflammatory mediators in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells treated with hydroponic ginseng shoot. (a), iNOS; (b), TNF-α; (c), IL-6; and (d), IL-1β. 200 μg/mL; 100 μg/mL. NF, non-fermented; F, fermented. Values are means ± standard deviation of triplicate experiments. Different letters in same column indicate significant differences as determined by Duncan’s multiple range tests (p < 0.05). Different letters (a, b, c, and d) represent significant differences among samples.

Figure 5

Effects of fermented hydroponic ginseng root (a) and shoot (b) on lipid accumulation in differentiated 3T3-L1 cells, and Oil Red O (ORO) stained cells after differentiation (c). 200 μg/mL; 100 μg/mL. NF, non-fermented; F, fermented; MDI, insulin + dexamethasone + 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine (IBMX). Values are means ± standard deviation of triplicate experiments. Different letters indicate significant differences as determined by Duncan’s multiple range tests (p < 0.05). Different letters (a, b, c, and d) represent significant differences among samples.