Plantago asiatica Extracts Inhibit UV-induced Matrix Metalloproteinase-1 in Human Dermal Fibroblasts and Prevent Skin Photoaging in Hairless Mice

In this study, we examined the antiwrinkle effects of Plantago asiatica seed (PAS) on UV-induced human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs) and hairless mice models to determine if an anti-inflammatory agent could also be developed as an antiaging treatment. Acute UV irradiation induced matrix metallproteinase (MMP)-1 protein expression levels, but this was suppressed by PAS in HDFs. Next, we investigated the effect of PAS on UV induced skin changes in hairless mice. Chronic UV exposure of the dorsal skin increased skin thickness and induced wrinkle formation. PAS significantly suppressed UV-induced morphologic skin changes. In addition, MMP-1 expression was dramatically attenuated by treatment with plantainoside D which was purely isolated from PAS, indicating that this is the principle compound inhibiting MMP-1 expression in HDFs. Taken together, our data suggest that PAS can prevent the harmful effects of UV that lead to skin aging.