GRIFOLA FRONDOSA/ARCTIUM LAPPA FRUIT EXTRACT FERMENT FILTRATE.

The synergistic action of Grifola frondosa and Arctium lappa, profoundly amplified by fermentation, provides comprehensive dermal benefits. Grifola frondosa contributes robust antioxidant protection, acting as a natural UV absorber and inhibiting tyrosinase activity to reduce melanin formation, thereby promoting skin brightening. It actively stimulates collagen synthesis, fortifies the extracellular matrix, and increases dermal thickness by up-regulating genes responsible for essential collagens, leading to a smoother, more youthful complexion. Furthermore, it exhibits significant anti-inflammatory effects by modulating immune responses (Th1, Th2, Th17, and Th22), inhibiting pro-inflammatory cytokines (such as IL-6 and TNF-alpha), and suppressing MAPK pathway activation in keratinocytes, which helps ameliorate atopic dermatitis-like symptoms. Arctium lappa fruit extract synergistically improves the metabolism of the dermal extracellular matrix, stimulating procollagen synthesis, increasing hyaluronan synthase-2 expression, and elevating crucial hyaluronan levels, contributing to visible wrinkle reduction. The fermentation process is pivotal, converting higher-molecular compounds into smaller, more bioavailable structures. This enhances beneficial components such as polyphenols, flavonoids, organic acids, proteins, ceramides, amino acids, and biological enzymes, while simultaneously decreasing potential cytotoxicity. Specifically, the Grifola frondosa-mediated fermentation of Fructus arctii yields β-glucosidase, transforming glycosides like arctiin and caffeic acid derivatives into their more active aglycone forms (arctigenin and caffeic acid), which possess heightened antioxidant and 5-lipoxygenase inhibitory activities, offer photoprotection by inhibiting MMP-1 expression, and further stimulate collagen biosynthesis.