Glycyrrhizic acid (GA), a triterpenoid saponin glycoside alleviates ultraviolet-B irradiation-induced photoaging in human dermal fibroblasts

• Published in: Phytomedicine (Stuttgart) 2012-05, Vol.19 (7), p.658-664
• Main Authors: Afnan, Quadri, Adil, Mushtaq Dar, Nissar-Ul, Ashraf, Rafiq, Ahmad Rather, Amir, Hussian Faridi, Kaiser, Peerzada, Gupta, Vijay Kumar, Vishwakarma, Ram, Tasduq, Sheikh Abdullah
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aging; Care and treatment; Caspase 3 - metabolism; Cytochromes c - metabolism; Fibroblasts; Fibroblasts - drug effects; Fibroblasts - metabolism; Fibroblasts - radiation effects; Glycyrrhiza - chemistry; Glycyrrhiza glabra; Glycyrrhizic acid; Glycyrrhizic Acid - pharmacology; Health aspects; Human dermal fibroblast; Humans; Hyaluronoglucosaminidase - antagonists & inhibitors; Matrix Metalloproteinase Inhibitors; Medicinal plants; NF-kappa B - metabolism; NF-κB; Photoaging; Physiological aspects; Plant Extracts - pharmacology; Plant Roots; Reactive oxygen species; Reactive Oxygen Species - metabolism; Rhizome; Signal Transduction - drug effects; Skin; Skin - drug effects; Skin - metabolism; Skin - radiation effects; Skin Aging - drug effects; Skin diseases; Ultraviolet B; Ultraviolet Rays
• ISSN: 0944-7113; 1618-095X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.phymed.2012.03.007

Glycyrrhizic acid (GA), a triterpenoid saponin glycoside from the roots and rhizomes of licorice is used in traditional and modern medicine for the treatment of numerous medical conditions including skin diseases and beauty care product. In the present study, we investigated the effect of GA against ultraviolet B (UVB) irradiation-induced photoaging in human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs) and its possible mechanism of action. HDFs were subjected to photoaging by sub-toxic dose of UVB (10mj/cm2) irradiation. Cell viability, matrix metalloproteinase 1 (MMP1), pro-collagen 1, cellular and nuclear morphology, cell cycle, intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), caspase 3 and hyaluronidase inhibition assays were performed. Western blotting was used to evaluate the expression of NF-kappa B (NF-κB) and cytochrome-C proteins. GA treatment significantly inhibited photoaging. It achieved this by reducing ROS, NF-κB, cytochrome c, caspase 3 levels and inhibiting hyaluronidase enzyme. The main mechanism seems to be, most likely by blocking MMP1 activation by modulating NF-κB signaling. These findings may be useful for development of natural and safe photoprotective agents against UVB irradiation.