Effect of ellagic acid and retinoic acid on collagen and elastin production by human dermal fibroblasts.

Background: Elastin is a fibrous protein key to the structure and support of skin as well as other organ tissues. Elastic fibers are located in the skin's dermal layer and make up approximately 2%-4% of the fat-free dry weight of the dermis in the skin of adults. Aging causes the progressive degradation of elastin fibers. Loss of these fibers can cause skin sagging and wrinkling, loss of healthy blood vessels and lung capacity, aneurysms, and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).

Objective: We hypothesized that ellagic acid, a polyphenol, will increase elastin in human dermal fibroblasts (HDF) due to polyphenols' elastin binding properties.

Method: We treated HDF's with 2 μg/ml ellagic acid for 28 days to see the elastin deposition in HDF cell cultures. To test this, we treated HDFs with polyphenols ellagic acid for 3, 7, 14 and 21 days. For comparison purposes, we included a group of ellagic acid and retinoic acid since retinoic acid is already in the market for elastin regeneration purposes.

Results: When ellagic acid and retinoic acid were introduced together, insoluble elastin and collagen deposition were significantly higher in HDFs compared to other groups.

Conclusion: Polyphenols and retinoic acid can improve skin extracellular matrix production of elastin and collagen and may improve skin fine wrinkles.