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.