Vigna angularis water extracts protect against ultraviolet b-exposed skin aging in vitro and in vivo.

Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation induces various pathological changes, such as thickened skin and wrinkle formation. In particular, UVB irradiation increases matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-1 production and collagen degradation, leading to premature aging, termed photoaging. The azuki bean (Vigna angularis; VA) has been widely used as a food product as well as a traditional medicine.

Effects of Galla chinensis extracts on UVB-irradiated MMP-1 production in hairless mice.

Galla chinensis (GAC) is a natural traditional Chinese medicine that has been widely used in folk medicine. Although GAC compounds (mainly gallic acid and methyl gallate) possess strong antiviral, antibacterial, anticancer, and antioxidant activities, there is no report regarding topical or oral administration of GAC compounds on UVB irradiation-induced photoaging in hairless mice (SKH: HR-1). In the present study, we examined cell viability, intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in skin fibroblasts and keratinocytes induced by UVB in vitro.

Gallic acid regulates skin photoaging in UVB-exposed fibroblast and hairless mice.

Ultraviolet (UV) radiation is the primary factor in skin photoaging, which is characterized by wrinkle formation, dryness, and thickening. The mechanisms underlying skin photoaging are closely associated with degradation of collagen via upregulation of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activity, which is induced by reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. Gallic acid (GA), a phenolic compound, possesses a variety of biological activities including antioxidant and antiinflammatory activities.