Oral administration of fingerroot (Boesenbergia pandurata) extract reduces ultraviolet b-induced skin aging in hairless mice

Fingerroot [Boesenbergia pandurata (Roxb.) Schltr.], belonging to Zingiberaceae, is an edible tropical medicinal plant that has been traditionally used to treat various diseases. However, the effect of its oral intake on skin has not yet been reported. This study aimed to investigate anti-photoaging effects of the ethanol extract of fingerroot in a hairless mouse model. Compared with the untreated UVB control group, mice that received fingerroot extract (BPE) showed significantly reduced wrinkle formation, skin thickening, and transepidermal water loss in dorsal skin irradiated with UVB. Moreover, BPE significantly prevented UVB-induced matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-3 and -13 expressions and also MMP-2 and -9 activities. These results strongly suggest that oral administration of BPE confers in vivo anti-photoaging effects in hairless mice. Thus, fingerroot may have potential as an oral photoprotective agent to prevent skin photoaging following UV exposure.