Exploring Tagetes erecta Linn flower for the elastase, hyaluronidase and MMP-1 inhibitory activity

J Ethnopharmacol. 2011 Oct 11;137(3):1300-5. doi: 10.1016/j.jep.2011.07.064. Epub 2011 Aug 5.

Abstract

Ethnopharmacological relevance: Traditionally Tagetes erecta Linn flower is claimed to treat skin diseases like sores, burns, wounds, ulcers, eczema and several other skin ailments. The aim of the present experiment was to evaluate the anti-wrinkle potential of standardized flower extract of Tagetes erecta.

Materials and methods: The Tagetes erecta extract and fractions were screened for hyaluronidase, elastase and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP-1) inhibitory activity compared with the activity of standard oleanolic acid. Syringic acid and β-amyrin were obtained from the extract and quantified through RP-HPLC. Also the compounds were evaluated for anti-wrinkle activity.

Results: The methanol extract showed significant ((a)P < 0.05) hyaluronidase and elastase inhibition with IC50 of 11.70 ± 1.79 μg mL(-1) and 4.13 ± 0.93 μg mL(-1) respectively and better MMP-1 inhibition compared to standard oleanolic acid. The isolated compounds syringic acid and β-amyrin found to inhibit enzymes comparable to oleanolic acid. The RP-HPLC analysis revealed that good amounts of syringic acid and β-amyrin (2.30%, w/w and 0.06%) are present in Tagetes erecta.

Conclusion: Tagetes erecta flower showed effective inhibition of hyaluronidase, elastase and MMP-1. Therefore, this experiment further rationalizes the traditional uses of this plant, which may be useful as an anti-wrinkle agent.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cattle
  • Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid
  • Chromatography, Reverse-Phase
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / chemistry
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / isolation & purification
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / pharmacology*
  • Flowers
  • Gallic Acid / analogs & derivatives
  • Gallic Acid / pharmacology
  • Humans
  • Hyaluronoglucosaminidase / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Hyaluronoglucosaminidase / metabolism
  • Leukocyte Elastase / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Leukocyte Elastase / metabolism
  • Matrix Metalloproteinase 1 / metabolism
  • Matrix Metalloproteinase Inhibitors*
  • Methanol / chemistry
  • Oleanolic Acid / analogs & derivatives
  • Oleanolic Acid / pharmacology
  • Plant Extracts / chemistry
  • Plant Extracts / isolation & purification
  • Plant Extracts / pharmacology*
  • Plants, Medicinal
  • Protease Inhibitors / pharmacology
  • Skin Aging / drug effects*
  • Solvents / chemistry
  • Tagetes* / chemistry

Substances

  • Enzyme Inhibitors
  • Matrix Metalloproteinase Inhibitors
  • Plant Extracts
  • Protease Inhibitors
  • Solvents
  • Gallic Acid
  • Oleanolic Acid
  • syringic acid
  • Hyaluronoglucosaminidase
  • Leukocyte Elastase
  • Matrix Metalloproteinase 1
  • beta-amyrin
  • Methanol