Fermented ginseng powder enriched with rare ginsenosides ameliorates high-fat diet-induced obesity by modulating adipogenesis and inflammation

Administration of high-dose fermented ginseng powder (2.385 mg/g) resulted in a reduction in body weight and an improvement in blood biochemical parameters in high-fat diet (HFD)-fed mice. Significant reductions in lipid droplet size were observed in both liver and epididymal adipose tissues. Western blot analysis showed increased protein levels of PPAR-α, PPAR-γ, and PGC-1 in the HFD + low-dose lyophilized fermented ginseng powder (HDL), HFD + medium-dose lyophilized fermented ginseng powder (HDM), and HFD + high-dose lyophilized fermented ginseng powder (HDH) groups compared to the HD group. Furthermore, the phosphorylation of AMPK (P-AMPK) and ACC (P-ACC) was significantly elevated. Conversely, western blot analysis demonstrated a decrease in the expression of inflammatory cytokines IL-1, IL-6, and TNF-α in the CG, HDL, HDM, and HDH groups compared to the HD group. Gene expression analysis revealed a downregulation of lipid anabolism-related genes, including <i>SREBP-1c</i> and <i>FAS</i>, along with an upregulation of <i>PPAR-γ</i> and <i>ACOX-1</i> mRNA levels. Additionally, the expression of inflammation-related genes such as <i>IL-1</i>, <i>IL-6</i>, and <i>TNF-α</i> was reduced. High-dose freeze-dried fermented ginseng powder (2.385 mg/g) significantly influenced lipid metabolism and inflammatory responses, highlighting its potential as a therapeutic agent for the management of dyslipidemia.