Effect of Aloe arborescens Miller. on Hyaluronic Acid Synthesis by Dermal Fibroblasts

• Published in: Journal of Society of Cosmetic Chemists of Japan Vol. 35; no. 3; pp. 243 - 248
• Main Authors: Masaki, Hitoshi, Tsurumi, Yoshiko, Obayashi, Kei, Okano, Yuri, Yahagi, Shouichi
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: The Society of Cosmetic Chemists of Japan 2001
• Subjects: aging; Aloe arborescens Miller; extracellular matrix; fibroblasts; glycosaminoglycans; hyaluronan synthase; hyaluronic acid; plant extract; sagging; wrinkle
• ISSN: 0387-5253; 1884-4146
• DOI: 10.5107/sccj.35.3_243

It is well known that characteristic changes in facial appearance, wrinkles and sagging, are caused by aging. It has been considered that the structural changes in dermal matrix is responsible for these changes. Hyaluronic acid is one of the components of the dermal matrix, and plays an important role in moisturizing skin. In aging skin, it has been reported that normal hyaluronic acid is decreased by binding to surrounding protein. This decrease of normal hyaluronic acid might be one of the reasons that elderly people experience decreased water contents in the skin. We focused on the regulation of hyaluronic acid synthesis in human dermal fibroblasts in order to improve the skin condition of elderly subjects. We searched for substances that have an activity to stimulate hyaluronic acid synthesis and chose the four plant extracts. Of the four, we found that Aloe arborescens Miller. extract stimulated hyaluronic acid synthesis most potently. Then, to clear active substances in that Aloe arborescens Miller., each fraction was separated by using column chromatography. It was found that the highest polar fraction potently stimulated hyaluronic acid synthesis. Furthermore, the effective fraction showed an increase of hyaluronan synthase (HAS) 2 mRNA expression.