Introduction: Rumex (Polygonaceae) species are widely grown worldwide and their main compounds are anthranoids, tannins, naphthalenes and flavonoids. Matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) enzymes that cause the breakdown of the extracellular matrix and harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays are two important causes of skin ageing. Although there have been many studies on anthraquinones, there are not many studies on their anti-ageing effects.
Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the anti-ageing effects of pure compounds isolated from Rumex crispus L. by measuring their MMP inhibitory and sunscreen activities.
Methodology: Molecular docking studies on anthranoid, flavonoid, tannin and naphthalene skeletons with MMP enzymes were applied for the first time. Various chromatographic methods were used for isolation studies. The structure elucidation was performed by spectroscopic [UV, infrared (IR), electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry (ESI-MS), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR)] methods. To determine the anti-ageing capacity of compounds, MMP-1, MMP-8, MMP-13 enzyme inhibitory effects and sun protection factors (SPFs) were investigated for the first time.
Results: Molecular docking results showed that skeletons had low binding energy to the target and were likely to inhibit MMP enzymes. Then, eight anthraquinones and a naphthalene glycoside were isolated from the underground parts of Rumex crispus L. According to the results, MMP inhibitory effects of compounds were found to be high. In vitro and molecular docking study results confirmed each other. All anthraquinones showed high sun protection and emodin showed highest UV capability with SPF of 30.59.
Conclusion: This study shows that anthraquinones may be evaluated as new potential MMP inhibitors, sun protective and anti-ageing agents.
Keywords: Rumex crispus L; anti-ageing; matrix metalloproteinase inhibitor; molecular docking; sun protection factor.
© 2020 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.