Protective effects of Evodiae Fructus extract against ultraviolet-induced MMP-1 and MMP-3 expression in human dermal fibroblasts

Abstract

Evodiae Fructus (EF) has been used as a traditional medicine for abdominal pain, headache, bleeding, and menorrhea in Asian countries. However, the effect of EF extract (EFE) on ultraviolet (UV)B-induced photoaging remains unknown. This study aimed to investigate the effects and molecular mechanisms of UVB-induced matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)−1 and MMP-3 expression in primary human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs). In HDFs, the expression of MMP-1, MMP-3 and pro-collagenA2 were analyzed using western blotting and real-time polymerase chain reaction. The phosphorylation levels of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and activation of nuclear factor (NF)-κB and activator protein (AP)−1 were assessed using western blotting. Results showed that EFE reduced UVB-induced MMP-1 and MMP-3 expression, and this effect was mediated by the inhibition of MAPK/NF-κB and AP-1 activation. Moreover, EFE prevented UVB-induced inhibition of collagen synthesis. Taken together, these results suggest that EFE may have a preventive potential against photoaging.