title: Compound K increases type I procollagen level and decreases matrix metalloproteinase-1 activity and level in ultraviolet-A-irradiated fibroblasts.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Ginsenosides have many biomedical efficacies, such as anti-aging, antioxidation, and anti-inflammatory activities. Compound K (CK), one of the major metabolites of ginsenosides, mediates the antimetastatic and anti-allergic activities of the ginsenosides. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of CK on level of type I collagen, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-1 activity, and protein level in ultraviolet (UV)A-irradiated fibroblasts.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fibroblasts were cultured with and without CK (0.01 μM, 0.1 μM or 1 μM) for 2 hours. Cells were sham-irradiated and irradiated with 50 kJ/m(2), 100 kJ/m(2) or 200 kJ/m(2) UVA, and incubated in serumfree Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium, with or without CK for 24 hours. MMP-1 activity in the supernatants and protein levels in the cells were assessed by zymography and western blotting, respectively. Level of type I collagen was assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.
  
  
  RESULTS
  MMP-1 activity and protein level were increased by UVA, which was downregulated by CK. Production of type I collagen was inhibited in UVA-irradiated fibroblasts, which was upregulated by CK.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  CK is a potential agent for the prevention and treatment of skin photo-aging.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedics, Changhai Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China.
authors.forename: Dawei
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: He
authors.forename: Jianzhong
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.forename: Xiaodong
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Zhu
authors.forename: Shensheng
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Nian
authors.forename: Jun
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Liu
mesh_terms: D024042:Collagen Type I / Q000378:metabolism*; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism; D036145:Ginsenosides / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D020781:Matrix Metalloproteinase 1 / Q000378:metabolism*; D012867:Skin / Q000166:cytology; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays
chemical_list: D024042:Collagen Type I; D036145:Ginsenosides; D020781:Matrix Metalloproteinase 1; C112772:ginsenoside compound K