Areca catechu L. extract.: I.: Effects on elastase and aging

The anti-aging effects of Areca catechu L. extract (CC-516) on skin were investigated both in vitro and in vivo. The CC-516 is composed of a relatively high amount of protein (26%) and carbohydrate (37.5%), and it has a high proportion of proline (13%) of free amino acid content. The inhibitory effect of CC-516 on the elastase exhibited a 37% to 98% inhibition for a 10-500 mu g/ml concentration, and IC50 values of 40.8 mu g/ml for porcine pancreatic elastase (PPE) and 48.1 mu g/ml for human leukocyte elastase (HLE), respectively. One of the effects of elastase is that it is known to reduce the number of elastin fibers at the level of enzyme deposition. The number of elastin fibers was increased when we drifted from the deposit point of elastase with 100 mu g/ml of CC-516. CC-516 showed protection of elastic fiber against degradation by the enzyme in an ex vivo assay. The CC-516 increased proliferation of human fibroblast cells by 85% at 10(-4)% concentration, compared with control, whereas the increase with ascorbic acid was 50%. The monolayer and three-dimensional collagen synthesis nas increased by 50% at 10(-4)% and 20% at 0.1% concentrations of CC-516, respectively. The treatment with CC-516 improved skin hydration, skin elasticity, and wrinkle reduction. From this study, we suggest that CC-516 can be used as a new anti-aging component in cosmetics.