The inhibition of collagenase induced degradation of collagen by the galloyl-containing polyphenols tannic acid, epigallocatechin gallate and epicatechin gallate.

Collagen based cosmetic fillers require repeat treatments due to collagenase derived degradation of the filler in the intradermal injection site. The objective of this study was to investigate the inhibition of this degradation by the galloyl-containing compounds tannic acid, epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), epicatechin gallate (ECG) and gallic acid (GA). A gel permeation chromatography assay was developed to quantitate the collagenase induced reductions in collagen molecular weight. The binding of the compounds to collagen was measured using HPLC. The stabilization of collagen was measured using Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC). Tannic acid, EGCG and ECG (but not GA) were found to strongly inhibit collagen degradation at concentrations in the low micromolar range. The compounds bound strongly to collagen and stabilized collagen. It is concluded that tannic acid, EGCG and ECG bind to collagen via extensive hydrogen bonding augmented by some hydrophobic interactions and prevent the free access of collagenase to active sites on the collagen chains.