Skin antiaging effect of Lavandula officinalis extract determining by Matrix Metalloproteinase-1 inhibition assay

Nowadays, there is a great interest in using herbal extracts as active ingredients of functional cosmetic products. Although the cosmetic products containing lavender have been shown to improve the appearance of the face skin, this claim has not yet been proven (1).

Matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) break down collagen and elastin, leading to degenerative changes of the extracellular matrix, accelerating the formation of wrinkles and saggings and causing the skin to age (2). The discovery of MMP-1 enzyme inhibitors in preventing skin elasticity and wrinkle formation is important.

The present study was undertaken to evaluate the possible inhibitory effects of Lavandula ethanolic extracts on matrix metalloproteinase-1. MMP-1 inhibitory effects were measured in 25 µg/mL, 50 µg/mL, 100 µg/mL, 250 µg/mL and 500 µg/mL concentrations at 412nm. All samples showed the best efficacy at 500 µg/mL concentration. Inhibition of MMP-1 by the Lavandula officinalis methanolic extract, linalool and linalool-free extracts at 500 mg/mL was found to be 80.12%, 90.20% and 79.59, respectively, while positive control NNGH inhibited MMP-1 90.8% in 1,3µM concentration. In this study, linalool was found the most effective among them but all extracts showed significant activity.

[1] Baumann LS. Dermatol Therapy 2007; 20: 330 – 342

[2] Fisher GJ, Kang S, Varani J, Bata-Csorgo Z, Wan Y, Datta S. Arch Dermatol 2002; 138: 1462 – 1470.