Anti–elastase, anti–tyrosinase and matrix metalloproteinase–1 inhibitory activity of earthworm extracts as potential new anti–aging agent

• Main Authors: Azmi, Nurhazirah, Hashim, Puziah, Mat Hashim, Dzulkifly, Halimoon, Normala, Nik Ab. Majid, Nik Muhamad
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Biomedicine Editorial Office 2014
• Online Access: http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/36474/1/Anti.pdf; http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/36474/

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.