The effects of areca catechu L extract on anti-aging.

The anti-aging effects of Areca catechu L extract (CC-516) on skin were investigate both in vitro and in vivo. The CC-516 has a high proportion of proline (13%) of free amino acid content. The inhibitory effect of CC-516 on the elastase exhibited 37 to 90% inhibition by 10 to 250 mug/ml concentration; the IC _ 50 values with 40.8 mug/ml for porcine pancreatic elastase (PPE) and 48.1 mug/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 the enzyme deposition. The number of elastin fibers was increased when we drift from the deposit number of elastase with 100 mg/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 cell by 85% at 10 ; -4 concentration, compared with control, whereas the increase by ascorbic acid was 50%. The collagen synthesis was increased by 40% at 10 ; -4% concentration of CC-516. The treatment with CC-516 improved skin hydration, the skin elasticity, and skin wrinkles. From this study, we suggest that CC-516 can be used as a new anti-aging component for cosmetics.