Screening Thai plants for DNA protection, anti-collagenase and suppression of MMP-3 expression properties

ObjectiveTo explore the suppression effect of six Thai plants on matrix-degrading enzymes such as collagenase and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs).MethodsSix Thai plant extracts, Phyllanthus niruri (P. niruri), Vernonia cinerea, Pluchea indica, Rhinocanthus nasutus (R. nasutus), Zingiber cassumunar (Z. cassumunar) and Cissus quadrangularis (C. quadrangularis) were tested for total phenolic content, antioxidant, DNA protection, anti-collagenase properties and inhibitory effects on IL-1β-acitvated MMP-3 expression. Additionally, the ethanolic extracts of P. niruri and Z. cassumunar were assessed for MMP-2 and −9 production using gelatin zymography.ResultsAn evaluation of antioxidant activity and total phenolic content revealed that the ethanolic extract of P. niruri had the highest activity (72.17 and 93.05 mg gallic/g extract, respectively). The ethanolic extracts of P. niruri, Vernonia cinerea, R. nasutus and C. quadrangularis performed a strong activity of DNA protection against hydroxyl radicals. The extracts of C. quadrangularis, R. nasutus and P. niruri (IC50 = 0.3, 0.82 and 0.91 mg/mL, respectively) possessed good activity for the inhibition of bacterial collagenase activity. Using the promoter activity assay, the ethanolic extract of P. niruri and Z. cassumunar (IC50 = 26.94 and 27.82 µg/mL, respectively) decreased IL-1β-stimulated MMP-3 expression in human chondrosarcoma cells (SW1353) cells. Besides, both the ethanolic extracts of P. niruri and Z. cassumunar could alleviate the production of MMP-2 and −9 in IL-1β-activated SW1353.ConclusionsTaken together, the ethanolic extract of P. niruri had several beneficial effects.