title: Anti-elastase, anti-tyrosinase and matrix metalloproteinase-1 inhibitory activity of earthworm extracts as potential new anti-aging agent.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To examine whether earthworms of Eisenia fetida, Lumbricus rubellus and Eudrilus eugeniae extracts have elastase, tyrosinase and matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) inhibitory activity.
  
  
  METHODS
  The earthworms extract was screened for elastase, tyrosinase and MMP-1 inhibitory activity and compared with the positive controls. It was also evaluated for whitening and anti-wrinkle capacity.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The extract showed significantly (P<0.05) good elastase and tyrosinase inhibition and excellent MMP-1 inhibition compared to N-Isobutyl-N-(4-methoxyphenylsulfonyl)-glycylhydroxamic acid.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Earthworms extract showed effective inhibition of tyrosinase, elastase and MMP-1 activities. Therefore, this experiment further rationalizes the traditional use of this worm extracts which may be useful as an anti-wrinkle agent.
authors.affiliation: Halal Products Research Institute, University Putra Malaysia, Putra Infoport, 43400 Upm Serdang, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Nurhazirah
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Azmi
authors.affiliation: Halal Products Research Institute, University Putra Malaysia, Putra Infoport, 43400 Upm Serdang, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Puziah
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Hashim
authors.affiliation: Halal Products Research Institute, University Putra Malaysia, Putra Infoport, 43400 Upm Serdang, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Dzulkifly M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Hashim
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Environmental Studies, University Putra Malaysia 43400 UPM Serdang, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Normala
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Halimoon
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Forestry, University Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM Serdang, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Nik Muhamad Nik
authors.initials: NM
authors.lastname: Majid
keywords: Ageing; Anti-wrinkle agent; Earthworms; Elastase; Matrix metalloproteinase-1