The Ginsenoside Derivative 20(S)‐Protopanaxadiol Inhibits Solar Ultraviolet Light‐Induced Matrix Metalloproteinase‐1 Expression

Ginsenosides are major pharmacologically active compounds present in ginseng ( Panax ginseng ). Among the ginsenosides, 20‐ O ‐ β ‐ D ‐glucopyranosyl‐20( S )‐protopanaxadiol (GPPD) and ginsenoside Rb1 (Rb1) have previously been reported to exhibit anti‐wrinkle effects. In this study, 20( S )‐protopanaxadiol (20( S )‐PPD), an aglycone derivative of the Rb1 metabolite was investigated for its anti‐wrinkle benefit and compared to GPPD and Rb1. The anti‐wrinkle effect of 20( S )‐PPD during solar UV light was investigated using a human skin equivalent model and human keratinocytes. 20( S )‐PPD attenuated solar UV‐induced matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)‐1 expression to a greater extent than GPPD and Rb1. 20( S )‐PPD treatment modulated MMP‐1 mRNA expression and the transcriptional activity of activator protein (AP)‐1, a major transcription factor of MMP‐1. Two upstream signaling pathways for AP‐1, the MEK1/2‐ERK1/2‐p90 RSK and MEK3/6‐p38 pathways, were also suppressed. Taken together, these findings highlight the potential of 20( S )‐PPD for further development as a preventative agent for sunlight‐induced skin wrinkle. J. Cell. Biochem. 118: 3756–3764, 2017.