The protective effect of Kaempferia parviflora extract on UVB-induced skin photoaging in hairless mice.

Background: Chronic skin exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light increases reactive oxygen species (ROS) and stimulates the expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) through c-Jun and c-Fos activation. These signaling cascades induce the degradation of extracellular matrix (ECM) components, resulting in photoaging.

Methods: This study evaluated the preventive effect of the ethanol extract of Kaempferia parviflora Wall. ex. Baker (black ginger) on UVB-induced photoaging in vivo. To investigate the antiphotoaging effect of K. parviflora extract (KPE), UVB-irradiated hairless mice administered oral doses of KPE (100 or 200 mg/kg/day) for 13 weeks.

Results: In comparison to the UVB control group, KPE significantly prevented wrinkle formation and the loss of collagen fibers with increased type I, III, and VII collagen genes (COL1A1, COL3A1, and COL7A1). The decrease in wrinkle formation was associated with a significant reduction in the UVB-induced expression of MMP-2, MMP-3, MMP-9, and MMP-13 via the suppression of c-Jun and c-Fos activity. KPE also increased the expression of catalase, which acts as an antioxidant enzyme in skin. In addition, expression of inflammatory mediators, such as nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), was significantly reduced by KPE treatment.

Conclusion: The results show that oral administration of KPE significantly prevents UVB-induced photoaging in hairless mice, suggesting its potential as a natural antiphotoaging material.