The effects of several natural products on in vitro MMP‐1 activity and UVA‐induced MMP‐1 synthesis in human dermal fibroblast (HDF) cultures were studied with the aim of developing novel anti‐aging agents from natural sources. We measured MMP‐1 activities by fluorescence assay using gelatin as substrates. In addition, UVA‐induced MMP‐1 expression was analyzed by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and gelatin‐based zymography in HDF cultures, and RT‐PCR techniques were used. The results showed a strong inhibitory effect of the extracts of Dicentra spectabilis and of the flower buds of Tussilago farfara. In a concentration of 0.05% (w/v), the extracts of the flower buds of Tussilago farfara and of Dicentra spectabilis inhibited MMP‐1 activity by 92 and 87% respectively. At 0.1% (w/v), the extracts of the flower buds of Tussilago farfara and of Dicentra spectabilis suppressed the UVA‐induced expression of MMP‐1 by an amount similar to that with Vitamin C 200 μm. These results suggest that the extracts of Dicentra spectabilis and of the flower buds of Tussilago farfara effectively protect skin from UV‐induced photoaging. Therefore, the extracts are thought to have potential as effective raw materials for anti‐aging cosmetics.

The results suggest that P/M or T/M can inhibit decrease of collagens by blocking IR-induced heat transmission in human dermal fibroblasts.