Effects of Draconis Resina on the Collagenase Activities and the Procollagen Synthesis in Hs68 Human Fibroblasts, and Tyrosinase Activity

Objectives : Draconis Resina (DR), the resin of Daemonorops draco Bl., is used to circulate the blood and to stop bleeding. It also has been used to generate flesh including ulceration. The present study investigated the effects of DR extract on collagen metabolism in human fibroblasts and tyrosinase activity in mushroom tyrosinase.Methods : The effect of DR extract on type I procollagen production (collagen type I synthesis) and collagenase (matrix metalloproteinase-1, henceforth referred as MMP-1) activity in human normal fibroblasts cell line. Hs68 cells after ultraviolet B (UVB, 312 nm) irradiation was measured using the enzyme - linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The tyrosinase activity was also measured to find out the whitening effects in mushroom tyrosinase by ELISA method.Results : There was no cytotoxicity at DR extract at concentrations of 10 μg/ml, 30 μg/ml, and 100 μg/ml. DR extract significantly inhibited the increase of collagenase activity, whereas it did not show on the reduction of type I procollagen in UVB damaged Hs68 cells. DR extract did not reduce the L - DOPA oxidation. However, it significantly reduced the tyrosinase activity by DR extract at concentraions of 0.1 mg/ml, 1 mg/ml and 10 mg/ml.Conclusions : In conclusion, DR showed the anti-wrinkle and whitening effects via the inhibition of collagenase production and the tyrosinase activity. These results suggest that DR may have potential as an anti-aging ingredient in cosmetic herb markets.