Evaluating the effect of Luffa cylindrica stem sap on dermal fibroblasts; An invitro study

• Published in: Biochemical and biophysical research communications Vol. 580; pp. 41 - 47
• Main Authors: Lee, Jungwhoi, Jo, Sung-Eun, Han, Eun Chun, Kim, Jae-Hoon
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 26.11.2021
• Subjects: Anti-wrinkle; Cell Line; Cell Survival - drug effects; Cell Survival - radiation effects; Elastin; Fibroblast; Fibroblasts - cytology; Fibroblasts - drug effects; Fibroblasts - radiation effects; Humans; Luffa - chemistry; Luffa cylindrica stem sap; Plant Extracts - chemistry; Plant Extracts - pharmacology; Plant Stems - chemistry; Protective Agents - chemistry; Protective Agents - pharmacology; Skin Aging - drug effects; Type I procollagen; Luffa cylindrica stem sap; Fibroblast; Type I procollagen; Elastin; Anti-wrinkle
• ISSN: 0006-291X; 1090-2104
• DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2021.09.079

Luffa cylindrica stem sap (LuCS) has been traditionally used as a facial cosmetic supplement to enhance the skin condition of Asians. However, LuCS has yet to be described and there is no solid scientific evidence regarding the use of LuCS as an anti-wrinkle agent. In the present study, we have evaluated the functional effect of LuCS and its underlying mechanisms based on scientific evidence. Treatment with LuCS stimulated the growth and migration of human skin fibroblasts. LuCS treatment activated EGFR signaling via the enhanced expression of EGFR and down-regulation of PPARγ in human skin fibroblasts. Exposure to LuCS induced the synthesis of cellular type I procollagen and elastin in consort with the down-regulation of various proteinases including MMP-1, -2 and -9 in human skin fibroblasts. LuCS treatment also reversed the skin damage induced by UV-A irradiation in human skin fibroblasts. 3-bromo-3-methylisoxazol-5-amine was identified as the functional component using UPLC-MS-MS analysis and increased production of cellular type I procollagen. Collectively, these results suggest the efficacy of LuCS supplementation in improving the skin condition via anti-wrinkle effect. •L. cylindrica stem sap induces viability and migration of human skin fibroblasts.•L. cylindrica stem sap regulates the expression levels of cellular EGFR, PPARγ, various MMPs, cellular type I collagen, and elastin in human skin fibroblasts.•L. cylindrica stem sap reverses the skin damages induced by UV-A irradiation in human skin fibroblasts.•This is the first report of the evidently functional LuCS as an anti-wrinkle reagent in human skin.