Nelumbo Nucifera leaf protects against UVB-induced wrinkle formation and loss of subcutaneous fat through suppression of MCP3, IL-6 and IL-8 expression.

Nelumbo nucifera has long been used in traditional medicine in East Asian countries such as China and Korea. In this study, we report the different property of several Nelumbo nucifera leaf (NNL) extracts on adipocyte differentiation. Adipogenesis was stimulated by administration of dichloromethyl (DCM) or n-hexan extract of NNL but attenuated by that of water extract. We also show that topical administration of DCM extract of NNL attenuated ultraviolet-B (UVB)-mediated wrinkle formation and reduction of subcutaneous (SC) fat in vivo. Interestingly, UVB-induced blood contents of triglyceride (TG) were attenuated significantly by topical administration of the DCM extract. In addition, we found that UVB-induced expression of cytokines (interleukin-6; IL-6, interleukin-8; IL-8, and monocyte chemotactic protein-3; MCP3), which were reported as regulators in SC fat metabolism, was attenuated in mouse skin fibroblast cells upon administration of the DCM extract. Collectively, our data suggest that topical administration of DCM extract of NNL, which plays a regulatory role in adipogenesis, could attenuate UVB-induced wrinkle formation and the metabolism of blood lipids by regulating the expression of cytokines such as IL-6, IL-8, and MCP3 in skin fibroblast cells. Our findings support further development of DCM extract of NNL as a potential therapeutic agent for prevention of photoaging-related disorders.