Panax ginseng berry extract possesses extraordinary pharmacological effects on skin treatment like anti-aging, antioxidant, collagen synthesis promotion, and atopic dermatitis comfort. In recent years, gold nanoparticles have been widely studied because of their extensive range of applications, especially in the field of drug delivery due to their biological compatibility and low toxicity.

The investigators of this study, in their previous study, designed and developed biocompatible gold and silver nanoparticles based on the phytochemical profile and pharmacological efficacy of P. ginseng berry extract. They reduced gold ions to nanoparticles through the process of green synthesis. However, they did not explore its potential as a cosmetic ingredient. In the present study, the investigators evaluated the moisture retention, in-vitro scavenging, and whitening properties of gold nanoparticles synthesized from P. ginseng berry in cosmetic applications. 

The study findings confirmed that P. ginseng berry-mediated gold nanoparticles exhibited moisture retention capacity. Additionally, MTT assay results confirmed that P. ginseng berry-mediated gold nanoparticles are non-toxic to human dermal fibroblast and murine melanoma skin cells, own scavenging activity, protect and provide alleviation against injury caused by H2O2-induced damage. Furthermore, they found that P. ginseng berry-mediated gold nanoparticles significantly reduce melanin content and suppress tyrosinase activity in α-MSH-stimulated B16BL6 cells. 

The study concluded that P. ginseng berry-mediated gold nanoparticles are biocompatible and environmentally pleasant materials and thus can be utilized as a potential novel cosmetic ingredient.

Epub 2017 Apr 9. PMID: 28393568.