본 연구에서는 계혈등 추출물에 의한 항산화 효과, in vitro MMP-1 효소 활성 저해 효과 및 사람섬유아세포에서 UVA에 의해 발현이 증가되는 MMP-1에 미치는 영향을 관찰하였다. 계혈등 추출물의 DPPH와 superoxide radical 소거효과는 처리농도가 증가함에 따라 농도 의존적으로 소거효과를 나타냈으며, $IC_{50}$은 각각 $45.81{mu}g/ml$, $3.11{mu}g/ml$로 DPPH와 superoxide radical을 소거하여 우수한 항산화 효과를 나타내었다. MMP-1 효소 활성 저해 효과도 $80{mu}g/ml$에서 $97.33\%$를 저해하는 것으로 나타나 우수한 효과를 나타내었다. 사람섬유아세포에서 UVA에 의해 발현이 증가되는 MMP-1의 발현저해효과는 계혈등 추출물 $10{mu}g/ml$에서 $74.66\%$로 단백질 수준에서 우수한 발현저해효과를 나타내었으며, mRNA수준에서도 계혈등 추출물은 모두 농도 의존적으로 발현 저해효과가 나타났다. 이상의 결과를 종합하여 볼 때 계혈등 추출물은 항산화 효과, MMP-1 효소 활성저해 효과와 UVA에 의한 MMP-1의 발현을 효과적으로 저해하는 것으로 보아 우수한 항노화 소재로써 이용될 수 있을 것으로 사료된다.
The production of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) by the UV irradiated skin fibroblast and the degradation of exracellular matrix (ECM) by these enzymes is known as one of the main reasons of photoaging. In this study, to investigate the relationship between aging and Spatholobi caulis extract, we examined the effects of antioxidant, in vitro MMP inhibition and expression of UVA-induced MMP-1 in human dermal fibroblasts. Spathoiobi caulis extract was found to show scavenging activities of radicals and reactive oxygen species (ROS) with the $IC_{50}$ values of $45.81{mu}g/ml$ against 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical and $3.11{mu}g/ml$ against superoxide radicals in the xanthine/xanthine oxidase system, respectively. Spatholobi caulis extract inhibited the activities of MMP-1 in a does-dependent manner and the IC50 value calculated from semi-log plots was $31.96{mu}g/ml$. Also, UVA induced MMP expression was reduced $74.66\%$ by treatment with Spatholobi caulis extract, and MMP-1 mRNA expression was reduced in a dose-dependent manner. Therefore Spatholobi caulis extract was able to significantly inhibit MMP expression in protein and mRNA level. All these results suggested that Spatholobi caulis extract may act as an anti-aging agent by antioxidation and reducing UVA-induced MMP-1 production.
