The Anti-Aging Potential of Extracts from Chaenomeles sinensis

Abstract

The Chaenomeles sinensis fruit is used as an effective antitussive agent, analgesic, and diuretic in traditional Chinese medicine. It has been reported that C. sinensis fruit extracts have antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effects. However, there are very few reports about the effects of C. sinensis extracts on skin. In this study, we investigated the effect of C. sinensis extracts on skin aging. The results of in vitro assays showed that whole fruit extracts of C. sinensis had superoxide dismutase (SOD)-like activity and inhibited the activity of dermal extracellular matrix proteases: Elastase and collagenase. The inhibitory effect of the whole fruit (containing seeds) extract on elastase activity was higher than that of the sarcocarp (seeds removed) extract. Further, the sarcocarp extract showed a higher level of SOD-like activity and a greater inhibitory effect on collagenase activity than the whole fruit extract. In particular, among the three activities studied, the sarcocarp extract showed the most significant inhibitory effect on collagenase activity at low concentrations. The polyphenol-rich fraction obtained from the sarcocarp showed significant collagenase inhibition. Based on these results, we concluded that phenolic compounds from C. sinensis sarcocarp have the potential to protect against skin aging through anti-collagenase activity.

Quinces (Cydonia oblonga, Chaenomeles sp., and Pseudocydonia sinensis) as Medicinal Fruits of the Rosaceae Family: Current State of Knowledge on Properties and Use

“…The sarcocarp extract was characterized by an effect similar to superoxide dismutase (SOD) and a pronounced collagenase inhibitory activity. The extract contained condensed tannins as the main polyphenolic components [169]. A type IV collagenase inhibitory effect was also observed for C. japonica fruit extract [131].…”

Quinces (Cydonia, Chaenomeles and Pseudocidonia) as Less Distinguishable Medicinal Fruits of the Rosaceae Family. Current State of Knowledge on Properties and Use

“…The sarcocarp extract was characterized by an effect similar to SOD and a pronounced collagenase inhibitory activity. The extract contained condensed tannins as the main polyphenolic component [133]. A type IV collagenase inhibitory effect was also observed for C. japonica fruit extract [134].…”

Anti-Aging Potential of Extracts from Washingtonia filifera Seeds

“…A positive relationship between the degree of procyanidin polymerization and the capacity of the procyanidins to inhibit elastase was observed in previous paper [ 11 , 12 ]. Moreover, inhibitory activity against elastase and collagenase by some procyanidin compounds has been reported [ 13 , 14 ]. The synergic action of these compounds could contribute to explaining the significant inhibition of the W. filifera methanolic extract against both the enzymes.…”