Ultraviolet (UV)B irradiation induces the production of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), which are responsible for the degradation of collagenous extracellular matrix in connective tissues, causing skin photoaging. Although Radix clematidis is commonly used in Chinese medicine for the treatment of arthralgia, the anti-skin photoaging effects of Radix clematidis have not yet been reported. In the present study, we investigated the inhibitory effects of Radix clematidis extract (RCE) on MMP-1 and -3 expression of human dermal fibroblast cells via various in vitro experiments and elucidated the pathways of inhibition. Western blot analysis and real-time PCR revealed RCE inhibited UVB-induced MMP-1 and -3 expressions in a dose-dependent manner. UVB strongly activated nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) activity, which was determined by IκBα degradation, nuclear localization of p50 and p65 subunit, and NF-κB binding activity. However, UVB-induced NF-κB activation was completely blocked by RCE pretreatment. These findings suggest that RCE prevents UVB-induced MMP expression through inhibition of NF-κB activation. In conclusion, RCE is a potential agent for the prevention and treatment of skin photoaging.

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