Effect of meso-dihydroguaiaretic acid from Machilus thunbergii Sieb et Zucc on MMP-1 expression in heat shock-induced cultured primary human fibroblasts.

Ethanol and aqueous extracts of Machilus thunbergii Sieb et Zucc (Lauraceae) used traditionally for the treatment of a variety of diseases were screened in vitro for MMP-1 inhibitory actions. Meso-dihydroguaiaretic acid (MDGA) from the stem bark of M. thunbergii showed a significant inhibition of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-1 in primary human fibroblasts by heat shock-induced. This study investigated the effect of MDGA isolated from M. thunbergii on heat shock-induced premature skin aging. MDGA reduced the expression of MMP-1 at the protein level in a dose-dependent manner in heat shock-induced cultured primary human fibroblasts. Taken together, these results show that MDGA can prevent the harmful effects of heat (and/or IR) that lead to skin aging.