Areca nut procyanidins prevent ultraviolet light B-induced photoaging via suppression of cyclooxygenase-2 and matrix metalloproteinases in mouse skin.

Chronic exposure to solar ultraviolet (UV) light induces photoaging in human skin. Our previous results have shown that areca nut procyanidins (ANPs) have antioxidant capacity and possess potential anti-inflammatory effects. Here, we aimed to investigate the effect of ANPs on UVB-induced photoaging. In the present study, dorsal skin of CD-1 mice was exposed to UVB at a minimal erythema dose (130 mJ/cm²) throughout a 3-week period. The effects of ANPs and epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), a polyphenolic constituent of green tea, on UVB-induced photoaging were compared. The results show that oral administration of ANP prevented UVB-induced photoaging, indicated by epidermal thickness and collagen disorientation, and inhibited UVB-induced expression of cyclooxygenase-2 and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), such as MMP-2, MMP-9, and TIMP1. The protective potential of ANP on UVB-induced photodamage was comparable to that of EGCG. These data suggest that ANP could be useful as a dietary supplement to attenuate solar UVB-induced premature skin aging.