Antimicrobial and Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Platycodon Tablets Added Platycodon grandiflorum root Fermented by Lactobacillus plantarum

Platycodon grandiflorum root (PGR) is one of the phlegm-relieving herb that helps reduce bronchial disease from the past. The saponin in PGR, platycoside compounds, has functions such as neuroprotective, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, anti-allergy, improved insulin resistance and cholesterol-lowering properties.

In order to developing a tablet product that improved the functionality and preference of PGR, it was fermented using lactic acid bacteria (Lactobacillus plantarum N76 – 10 and 56 – 12), then freeze-dried and powdered. The tablets were created by PGR powder (PGRP) mixed with fermented PGR powder (FPGRP, 0, 1.0, 2.5, 5.0, 7.5, and 10%). It was made of the 50% glucose, 35% PGRP in constant ratio of FPGRP, 2.0% hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose, and 3% lemon flavor concentrate powder. The tablets were put into investigation for their preference of taste, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory in accordance with amount of FPGRP. When it comes to preference of taste, the most favor is adding 5.0% of FPGRP. The antimicrobial activities were investigated for bacteria inducing bronchus diseases (Corynrbacterium diphtheriae, Klebsiella pnneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus, and Streptococcus pyogenes) with tablets made in constant ratio of FPGRP. Tablet added 10% FPGRP exhibited a strong microbial anti-proliferation in all four kinds of bacteria and was higher antimicrobial activity than tablet without FPGRP. Anti-inflammatory activity of tablets was investigated through inhibitory effect on the production of inflammatory meditator, nitric oxide (NO), tumor necrocis factor-alpha(TNF-α), interleukin-6(IL-6) in lipopolysaccharide(LPS)-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophage. The Inhibition effect of LPS-induced NO production steadily increases up to adding 10% of FPGRP, and then the inhibition effect of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α and IL-6 slightly increases up to adding 5% of FPGRP, there was no remarkable rise in further samples.

Thus, A PGR tablet was made by adding FPGRP (5.0˜10.0%) and it was increased organoleptic quality, antimicrobial activity and anti-inflammatory. These studies may provide new product development for effective utilization on Platycodon grandiflorum root.