The concentration-dependent effect of anethole on collagen, MMP-2 and GAG in human skin fibroblast cultures.

PURPOSE: In aging skin and some skin disorders, components of skin extracellular matrix (ECM) are disturbed and therefore research to find skin drugs is important. Evaluation of anethole impact on collagen, GAGs and MMP-2 in human skin fibroblasts was the aim of this study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: For collagen assay the Sircol dye, 5-[3H]proline and real time-PCR were used. MMP-2 activity was detected by zymography. GAG concentration was determined using 1,9-dimethylmethylene blue (DMMB). Cell viability was assayed with MTT. RESULTS: In cells treated with 1 and 10 µM anethole, a significant increase in collagen synthesis was demonstrated. In contrast, collagen synthesis was significantly decreased in cells exposed to 100 µM anethole. Similar alterations were found in collagen type I expression. The concentration of collagen secreted into the medium was higher only in cells exposed to 1 µM anethole, while it was lower under the influence of higher compound concentrations. It may be due to the lack of pro-MMP-2 activation at 1 µM and a significant increase in the level of MMP-2 at 10 and 100 µM anethole. GAG concentration was reduced under the influence of 100 µM anethole, whereas anethole at lower concentrations revealed the ability to prevent H2O2-induced GAG increase. No significant cytotoxicity of anethole to fibroblasts was noted. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings demonstrate the concentration-dependent action of anethole on the crucial components of ECM in cultured skin fibroblasts, which may be somewhat beneficial and may possibly be developed towards a therapeutic use in some skin disorders.

[Lunasin--a novel chemopreventive peptide]. / Lunazyna--peptyd o wlasciwosciach przeciwnowotworowych.

Lunasin is a bioactive peptide originally isolated from soybean and has demonstrated chemopreventive and anticancer properties against: skin, colon, prostate and breast cancers. Lunasin by binding to the receptors of colon cancer cells prevents its adhesion to the liver tissue. When the receptor is blocked, new blood vessels cannot differentiate which prevent the spread of cancer. In the model estrogen-independent breast cancer, lunasin and aspirin administration inhibits cell proliferation, arrest cell cycle in S-phase as well as a decreases expression of cancer genes. Lunasin has also been found to exert potent antioxidant properties, reducing lipopolysaccharide induced production of ROS by macrophage cells, and acting as a potent free radical scavenger. Using the modifying the of DNA method it has been demonstrated that CpG islands were hypomethylated in RWPE-1 cell lines and hypermethylated RWPE-2 in cell line.Despite of numerous and promising evidence of antitumor activity of lunasin, there are still not explained all the mechanisms of its action in the processes of carcinogenesis.