Protective effect of Cornus walteri Wangerin leaf against UVB irradiation induced photoaging in human reconstituted skin.

Background: Cornus walteri Wangerin has been used in oriental traditional medicine for the treatment of antidiarrheal and inflammation.

Objective: The efficacy of Cornus walteri Wangerin on skin anti-photoaging was investigated.

Methods: Hydrolyzed Cornus walteri Wangerin leaf was tested for the anti-photoaging effects against ultraviolet B (UVB)-induced matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-1, pro-inflammatory cytokines using human reconstituted skin (KeraSkin™-FT) and also tested for elastase activity in vitro. The MMP-1 and pro-inflammatory cytokine levels of the extract were evaluated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

Results: The extract of hydrolyzed Cornus walteri Wangerin leaf (CWE) had the elastase inhibitory activity (IC50: 0.457mg/mL). CWE inhibited MMP-1 expression up to 61% in comparison with the control group which was not treated using CWE, but exposed to UVB. CWE also showed an inhibitory effect on releasing pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6 and IL-8) in KeraSkin™-FT (30% and 57% inhibition at dose of 50μg/mL, respectively).

Conclusions: CWE is a promising anti-photoaging agent for the treatment of UVB-induced skin.