Journal of Nutrition & Food Sciences
Open Access

Abstract

Luteolin Suppresses Ultraviolet A- and B-induced Matrix Metalloproteinase 1- and 9 Expression in Human Dermal Fibroblast Cells

Monira Pervin, Keiko Unno, Yoriyuki Nakamura and Shinjiro Imai

Ultraviolet (UV) irradiation induces significant changes to skin connective tissues as a result of the degradation of collagen, which is a major structural component of the extracellular matrix. This process may be mediated by matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). In this study, we examined the protective effect of a polyphenolic flavone, luteolin, on the expression of two matrix metalloproteinases, MMP-1 and MMP-9, in UVA- and UVB-irradiated human dermal fibroblast cells. Luteolin is found in many medicinal plants as well as in a large number of vegetables, fruits and a variety of spices. It has a number of biological activities including anti-cancer, anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiallergic and immunomodulatory activities. Human dermal fibroblast (HDF) cells were treated with luteolin at 1-10 μM, then irradiated with UVA at 10 J/cm2 and UVB at 200 mJ/cm2. Cells and culture supernatant were harvested 24 h after irradiation.

Our results show that luteolin at 1-10 μM dose-dependently suppressed the expression of MMP-1 and MMP-9 genes in UVA and UVB-exposed HDF cells, as measured by quantitative real-time reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Luteolin was also found to reduce the production of MMP-1 protein in UVA and UVBexposed HDF cells detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in a dose-dependent manner. The release of MMP-9 was also reduced by luteolin in UVB-irradiated HDF cells in a dose-dependent manner.

Our results indicate that luteolin can inhibit UV-induced MMP-1 and MMP-9 expression in HDF cells. Therefore, they may be potentially useful in the prevention and treatment of skin photoaging.