Anti-Photoaging Effects of the Ethanol Extract from Eucommia ulmoides Oliv. Seed Meal on UVB-irradiated HaCaT Cells and Mice

Abstract

Background Eucommia ulmoides Oliv. is a traditional Chinese medicine, and its flowers, leaves, and seeds are widely used as food. Currently, E. ulmoides seed oil is capable of improving glucose and lipid metabolism in type 2 diabetic mice, but E. ulmoides seed meal is not fully utilized, and the anti-photoaging effect of it is still unclear. Objectives We examined the anti-photoaging effect of the ethanol extracts of E. ulmoides seed meal (EUSM) in UVB-stimulated HaCaT cells and mice. Materials and Methods EUSM was analyzed using Q-Orbitrap-based high-resolution LC-MS/MS. In vivo and in vitro experiments were conducted using normal mice and HaCaT cells, respectively. Hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining and Masson’s staining were used to evaluate epidermal thickness and degree of skin fibrosis. The production of hyaluronic acid (HA) and total protein using ELISA kits. The expression of levels for collagen type I α 1 (COL1A1), hyaluronidase-1 (HYAL-1), MMP-3, and MMP-9 were assessed using semi-quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Results EUSM contains all-trans-retinoic acid, medicagenic acid, and other chemical constituents. EUSM increased the level of total collagen by reducing matrix metalloproteinase expression, and it enhanced the content of HA. In addition, EUSM reduced the production of wrinkles in UVB-induced mouse skin and showed that EUSM decreased the level of malondialdehyde (MDA) and increased the contents of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) in the mouse skin tissue. Conclusion EUSM has therapeutic potential for UVB-induced skin photoaging and provided a rationale for the application of EUSM in the cosmetic field.