The objective of this study was to examine whether a 50% ethanolic extract (MCS-ext) of the seeds of Morinda citrifolia (noni) and its constituents have matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) inhibitory activity in UVA-irradiated normal human dermal fibroblasts (NHDFs). The MCS-ext (10 μg/mL) inhibited MMP-1 secretion from UVA-irradiated NHDFs, without cytotoxic effects, at 48 h after UV exposure. The ethyl acetatesoluble fraction of MCS-ext was the most potent inhibitor of MMP-1 secretion. Among the constituents of the fraction, a lignan, 3,3′-bisdemethylpinoresinol (1), inhibited the MMP-1 secretion at a concentration of 0.3 μM without cytotoxic effects. Furthermore, 1 (0.3 μM) reduced the level of intracellular MMP-1 expression. Other constituents, namely americanin A (2), quercetin (3) and ursolic acid (4), were inactive. To elucidate inhibition mechanisms of MMP-1 expression and secretion, the effect of 1 on mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) phosphorylation was examined. Western blot analysis revealed that 1 (0.3 μM) reduced the phosphorylations of p38 and c-Jun-N-terminal kinase (JNK). These results suggested that 1 suppresses intracellular MMP-1 expression, and consequent secretion from UVA-irradiated NHDFs, by down-regulation of MAPKs phosphorylation.Key words Morinda citrifolia; noni seed; matrix metalloproteinase-1 inhibitor; photoaging; 3,3′-bisdemethylpinoresinol Normal human dermis primarily consists of an extracellular matrix of connective tissue, of which the most abundant protein is collagen. Chronic UV exposure denatures collagen and elastic fibers in the dermis and induces wrinkles, thereby promoting photoaging.1) UV induces the production of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) by activating intracellular signal transcription pathways, including mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) p38 and c-Jun-N-terminal kinase (JNK).
2)Activation of the phosphorylation of MAPKs may lead to an over expression of c-Jun and c-Fos. This results in induction of activator protein-1 (AP-1), which, in turn, up-regulates expression of MMPs.3) MMPs are a family of structurally related matrix degrading enzymes that are associated with various destructive processes, including inflammation, tumor invasion and skin aging.1) MMPs are subdivided in different types at least over 20 members.4) Among them, MMP-1, secreted from human skin fibroblasts, is mainly responsible for the degradation of dermal collagen in the photoaging process of human skin.5) Neutrophils play an important role during the process of photoaging, which are set in motion by UV irradiation. The neutrophils infiltrate into the skin and release several active enzymes, such as MMPs and human leukocyte elastase (HLE).6) HLE cleaves the helix structure of type I collagen and then degrades elastic fiber in human skin. 7) HLE also directly activates MMP-1 from human dermal fibroblasts.
8)Thus, it is expected that MMP-1 inhibitors and/or HLE inhibitors may be useful for the prevention of photoaging of human skin.Morinda citrifolia L. (Rubiaceae), commonly kno...