a b s t r a c t
Ethnopharmacological relevance: Emblica officinalis fruit (EO), commonly known as Amla is a reputed
traditional medicine and functional food used in Indian subcontinent. It has long been used in Indian folk
medicine to treat liver diseases, stomach ulcers, inflammatory diseases, metabolic disorders, geriatric
complaints, skin disorders and beauty care.
Aim of the study: Recently, it has been shown to promote pro-collagen content and inhibit matrix metalloproteinase
levels in skin fibroblast. The aim of the present study was to investigate the efficacy of EO
to inhibit UVB-induced photo-aging in human skin fibroblasts.
Materials and methods: Mitochondrial activity of human skin fibroblasts was measured by MTT-assay.
Quantifications of pro-collagen 1 and matrix metalloproteinase 1 (MMP-1) release were performed
by immunoassay techniques. Hyaluronidase inhibition assay was studied in vitro using bovine testicular
hyaluronidase and human umbilical cord hyaluronic acid. Cell cycle analysis was performed by
flowcytometry using propidium iodide.
Results: EO stimulated, the otherwise UVB inhibited cellular proliferation and protected pro-collagen 1
against UVB-induced depletion via inhibition of UVB-induced MMP-1 in skin fibroblasts (10–40g/mL,
p > 0.001). EO exhibited inhibitory activity of hyaluronidase (10–40g/mL, p > 0.001). Treatment with EO
also prevented UVB disturbed cell cycle to normal phase.
Conclusion: The results of the present study suggests that EO effectively inhibits UVB-induced photoaging
in human skin fibroblast via its strong ROS scavenging ability and its therapeutic and cosmetic
applications remain to be explored.