Antioxidant and Metalloproteinase Inhibitory Activities of Ethanol Extracts from Lespedeza cuneata G. Don

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Lespedeza cuneata G. Don is a wellknown medicinal plant. In this study, the biological activities of L. cuneata extracts were investigated. METHODS AND RESULTS: L. cuneata shoot was extracted with 30% ethanol and further fractionated with organic solvents. Total phenolic and flavonoid content, antioxidant activity, and matrix metalloproteinase inhibition effect of the extract and fractions were measured. Among the tested extract and fractions, the highest contents of total phenolic and flavonoids were found in ethyl acetate fraction (117.8 mg GAE/g and 35.9 mg QE/g, respectively). Ethyl acetate fraction showed the highest DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activity, and the antioxidant activity of the other fractions followed the order n-hexane fraction>ethanol extract>methyl chloroform>n-butanol fraction. Inhibitory effect on the expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMP1 and MMP3) was highest in the fraction of ethyl acetate, and n-butanol fraction also significantly inhibited the expression of MMP3. Antioxidant activities of L. cuneata extracts were significantly positively related to their phenolic and flavonoid content. CONCLUSION:Ethyl acetate fraction of L. cuneata ethanol extract showed potent antioxidant and matrix metalloproteinases inhibitory activities. Those activities might be related to the high total phenolic and flavonoid content of the extract.

Skin-Whitening and Antiwrinkle Proprieties of Maackia amurensis Methanolic Extract Lead Compounds

“…In fibroblasts stimulated by UV rays, MMPs such as collagenase, elastase, and gelatinase decompose and damage the length and distribution of collagen fibers, resulting in wrinkles and reduced elasticity [37]. MMPs are mainly classified into three types: collagenases (MMP-1, MMP-8, and MMP-13), gelatinases (MMP-2 and MMP-9), and stromelysins (MMP-3 and MMP-10) [38]. In particular, induced by UVA, MMP-1 collapses the tertiary structure of collagen and plays a key role in the formation of wrinkles [39].…”