Ameliorative Effect of Hochu-ekki-to on Natural Skin Aging

Although it is beneficial to protect the skin from natural aging, especially in an aging society, the approach by which this can be achieved is still not well known. Hochu-ekki-to, a Chinese natural medicine, has various advantageous effects; however, there is no report about its influence on skin aging.

Therefore, we examined the effect of hochu-ekki-to against natural aging.

Hairless mice, bred without ultraviolet ray irradiation and physical stress, were orally administered huchu-ekki-to 3 times per week for 2 years. After that period, degree of skin hydration and permeability were measured. Furthermore, hematoxylin and eosin histochemistry was performed to determine the morphology and condition of the tissues. Lastly, levels of vitamin A, vitamin C, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) in plasma and skin, as well as concentration of hyaluronic acid in the skin, were measured.

Signs of skin aging were ameliorated by administration of hochu-ekki-to, such as moisture retention, skin hydration, and the generation of wrinkles. Furthermore, vitamin A, vitamin C, collagen type I, collagen type III, fibroblasts, and hyaluronic acid levels in the skin increased, while levels of ROS decreased after hochu-ekki-to treatment.

These results indicated that natural skin aging was ameliorated by treatment with hochu-ekki-to, specifically moisture retention, and skin hydration, and thickening, via the regulation of the vitamin C/fibroblast, collagen type III/collagen type I, and vitamin A/hyaluronic acid signaling pathways.