Characterizing Eckol as a Therapeutic Aid: A Systematic Review

Manandhar, Bandana; Paudel, Pradeep; Seong, Su Hui; Jung, Hyun Ah; Choi, Jae Sue

In matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) family, the expression of certain members is induced by UV irradiation. Matrix metalloproteinases are zinc-containing proteinases that degrade collagen and the other extracellular matrix proteins comprising the dermal connective tissue [107] [108] [109] . Proteolytic events in the human system which include embryogenesis, wound healing, inflammation, angiogenesis, and cancer involve MMPs [109] [110] [111] [112] . The connective tissue damage that occurs in photo aging is due to MMP-mediated collagen destruction [113] , where MMP-1 is the major factor involved in the deterioration of dermal collagen in the process of aging [114, 115] . Evaluation of 29 seaweed extracts for active compounds that can inhibit MMP-1 expression led to seaweeds E. stolonifera, E. bicyclis, and E. cava exhibiting more potent inhibition of NF-κB and AP-1 than seaweeds from other families. They also showed protection against collagen destruction through the TNFα-induced inhibition of MMP-1 expression. Eckol and dieckol isolated from E. stolonifera diminished the expression of MMP-1 induced by TNF-α and basal expression of MMP-1, and reduced both NF-κB and AP-1 reporter gene activity in human dermal fibroblasts. Hence, these results indicate that the reduction of MMP-1 expression is due to the compounds eckol and dieckol [57] .