Efficacy of Panax ginseng Tissue Culture Nanoemulsion on Anti-Aging in Cosmetics

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the anti-aging efficacy of a nanoemulsion derived from Panax ginseng tissue culture in cosmetic applications. Methods: A comprehensive assessment was conducted using a multi-dimensional approach, encompassing in vitro assays, human clinical trials, and subjective evaluations. In vitro testing utilized zebrafish larvae to assess product mildness via neutrophil count changes, anti-wrinkle performance via caudal fin wrinkling inhibition, and firming efficacy via elastin gene expression. Enzymatic inhibition rates were quantified using UV-visible spectrophotometry. For the human study, 33 subjects (mean age 50.45 ± 1.39 years) applied the product for 28 days. Skin hydration, transepidermal water loss (TEWL), and elasticity were measured at baseline, Day 14 (D14), and Day 28 (D28). The PRIMOS-CR rapid optical imaging system analyzed forehead and nasolabial fold wrinkles. Results: In vitro and zebrafish model experiments demonstrated that the nanoemulsion exhibited excellent safety profiles, with an irritation rate of only 5% (P > 0.05). It displayed potent enzymatic inhibition, achieving 79.02% and 20.22% inhibition rates against elastase and collagenase, respectively. In the zebrafish model, the product significantly suppressed caudal fin wrinkling by 29% (P < 0.001) and upregulated the relative expression of the elastin gene (elnI) by 1.96-fold (P < 0.05). Human clinical trials revealed significant improvements in skin barrier function and texture after 28 days of continuous use: stratum corneum hydration increased by 29.56%, while transepidermal water loss (TEWL) decreased by 12.46%. Skin elasticity R2 improved by 16.33%, and skin firmness F4 enhanced by 14.80%. Assessments indicated a 41.70% reduction in forehead wrinkle count and a 46.77% reduction in nasolabial fold count, alongside reductions in wrinkle length (16.09% and 14.50%, respectively). Participant satisfaction reached 100%. Conclusion: This study confirms that the Panax ginseng tissue culture nanoemulsion exhibits significant anti-wrinkle and firming efficacy, highlighting considerable potential for anti-aging applications.