Oral administration of Aloe veragel powder prevents UVB-induced decrease in skin elasticity via suppression of overexpression of MMPs in hairless mice

This study reports the effects of oral Aloe veragel powder (AVGP) containing Aloesterols on skin elasticity and the extracellular matrix in ultraviolet B (UVB)-irradiated hairless mice. Ten-week-old hairless mice were fed diets containing 0.3% AVGP for 8 weeks and irradiated UVB for 6 weeks. Mice treated with AVGP showed significant prevention of the UVB-induced decrease in skin elasticity. To investigate the mechanism underlying this suppression of skin elasticity loss, we measured the expression of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2, -9, and -13. AVGP prevented both the UVB-induced increases in MMPs expressions. Moreover, we investigated hyaluronic acid (HA) content of mice dorsal skin and gene expression of HA synthase-2 (Has2). In the results, AVGP oral administration prevented UVB-induced decreasing in skin HA content and Has2expression and attenuates the UVB-induced decrease in serum adiponectin, which promotes Has2expression. These results suggested that AVGP has the ability to prevent the skin photoaging.