TWI385000B - Use of the extracts of ficus formosana maxim as an agent for preventing skin aging - Google Patents

Description

Use of Celery Extract to prevent skin aging

The present invention relates to the extract of Ficus formosana Maxim . and its use for preventing skin aging.

Is a plant of the genus Ficus genus of the Moraceae family, known as Ficus formosana (Maxim), and is also known as Taiwanese 榕, Xiaobenniu nipple, goat nipple, goat milk, mountain golden date, mountain plucking purple, jade belt. Angle and so on. The fruit is distributed in the wetland broad-leaved forests or wilderness bushes in the mountains of China, Hong Kong, Vietnam and Taiwan, and in the low-altitude mountainous areas of eastern Taiwan. The plant of the celestial fruit is an evergreen shrub. The whole plant contains white milk. The leaves have short stalks. The leaves are oblong, lanceolate or rhomboid. The whole or serrated, the leaf type varies greatly. The color of the leaves is silver or green, the fruit is oval or obovate, the fruit is green when immature, the surface is white, and the fruit is purple-black when it matures. According to the "medicinal botany" written by Prof. Gan Weisong, the whole plant can be used for medicinal purposes, and it is equivalent to treating phlegm and blood circulation and treating rheumatism (please refer to Zhang Tongwu for the study on the diversity and utilization of health plants in Taiwan); September 22, 1994, "Seminar on Plant Diversity Development in Taiwan").

It is known that the celestial fruit has the functions of phlegm and blood circulation, strong bones and strong bones and swelling. The folks often treat the rheumatoid joint pain, acute and chronic hepatitis, lumbar sprain, dysplasia, vaginal discharge, vaginal discharge, menstrual irregularity, etc. No milk, cough, snake bites and urinary tract infections.

Folk custom knows that the use of the celestial fruit can be dried fresh products, and the roots and fruits of the celestial fruit are cooked in a decoction or a stew to make the celestial wine, and it is claimed to have an aphrodisiac effect.

A domestic study on the pharmacological effects of celestial fruit found that Taiwan celestial fruit has anti-human hepatocarcinoma cell line and lymphoid cancer cell strain (Sheu YW, Chiang LC, Chen IS, Chen YC, Tsai IL. Planta Med. 2005 Dec; 71 (12): 1165-7) and other abilities. There are still many applications for the development of the celestial fruit.

Population aging is a global trend, and the most obvious after aging is the change in skin appearance, so products related to delaying skin aging are particularly eye-catching. In general, skin aging can be divided into two basic processes: endogenous aging and exogenous aging. Endogenous aging is a process of natural aging, also known as intrinsic aging, related to genetic factors and age, while exogenous aging and external stimuli such as ultraviolet rays, solar storms, ozone layer destruction, gravity, smoking, temperature and humidity changes, Skin disorders, vascular lesions, allergies, etc. Skin aging caused by ultraviolet light is also known as photoaging, which is also a major cause of skin cancer.

The main symptom of skin aging is loss of elasticity due to reduced production of collagen in the skin or increased degradation of collagen. Collagen is a protein of fibrous structure, which is a major component of the extracellular matrix (ECM) of connective tissue. Degradation of collagen can cause changes in skin appearance and function, such as fine lines on the skin surface, deep wrinkles, cracks, lumps, large pores, scales, loss of skin elasticity (such as eye bags), loss of skin firmness, skin discoloration ( Such as dark circles), spots, pigmentation, skin keratinization, telangiectasia and other tissue changes. Elastase makes the skin elastic. Since elastin is destroyed by free radicals or elastase during natural aging, skin elasticity is reduced. Therefore, elastase inhibitors are often added to cosmetics.

The extracellular matrix of the skin provides the strength and integrity of the skin. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are proteases that break down peptide bonds, so they degrade collagen in the extracellular matrix. MMP plays an important role in the normal degradation and remodeling of skin self-repair. However, when MMP is overactivated, it can lead to pathological conditions or worsen pathological conditions, resulting in loss of tissue function and/or structure. More than 25 MMPs are known to be involved in the remodeling of skin extracellular matrices, wound healing, inflammatory reactions, and the like. Three of the MMPs, MMP-1, MMP-2 and MMP-9, are thought to be particularly relevant to the extracellular matrix of the skin and play an important role in normal and pathological tissue remodeling. MMP-1, MMP-2 and MMP-9 are particularly valued for two reasons. One is that these MMPs are important structural components of the skin, and the other is long-term skin exposure to factors that stimulate the pathogenesis of these MMPs. Lower, for example, inflammatory response, oxidative stress, and ultraviolet light. Therefore, it is currently believed that selective inhibition of MMP-1, MMP-2 and MMP-9 is more beneficial and effective than inhibiting all metalloproteinases in slowing skin aging.

Based on safety and natural considerations, attempts have been made in the art to develop anti-aging formulations from natural products. For example, Patent No. I287997 of the Republic of China discloses a composition for preventing skin aging characterized by containing a medically acceptable external base for skin and or an additive, and one or more selected from the group consisting of Ludwigia octovalvis and fish. Anisomeles indica , Lobelia chinensis , Urena lobata , Verbana officinalis , Cuscuta austra1is , Dchondra micrantha , Phyllanthus urinaria , Physalis angulata , Cleome gynandra , Rorippa indica , Hydrocotyle formosana , Vernonia cinerae , Spilanthes acmella , Canna indica , saddle vine ( Ipomoeapes-caprae ), Clerodendrum calamitosum , Drosera burmanni , Anoectochilus formosanus , Wikstroemia indica , Elaeagnus oldhamii , Mussaenda Parviflora ), Taiwan Aristolochia mollis , Culaunia cochinchi nensis var. gerontogea), smell jasmine (Clerodendrum philippinum), Daqing (Clerodendrum cyrtophyllum), White Dragon boat flowers (Clerodendrum paniculataum var. albifloraum), wood ramie (Boehmeria densiflora), crow mortar (Sapium sebiferum), clover grapes (Tetrastigma Dentatum ), Vitis thunbergii , Bredia oldhami , Staurogyne concinnula , Selaginella doederleinii , Lespedeza cuneata , Ludwigia hyssopifolia , black fern ( Sphenomeris chusana ), Adiantum flabellulatum , Kummerowia striata , Clerodendrum trichotomum , Vitex negundo , Bidens pilosa var. minor, Gnaphalium Affine ), Emilia sonchifolia , Mimosa pudica , Euphorbia hirta , Plantago formosana , Plumbago zeylanica , Torenia concolor var. formosona , Euphorbia formosana , Viola sinensis ( Viola) Phillippica ), Polygonum multiflorum var.hyopleucum, Ficus erecta var. beecheyana, Kalanchoe spathulata , Mallotus repandus , Uncaria hirsuta, Roche salt Rhus semialata var. roxburghiana, Rubia lanceolata , Salvia coccinea , Ixeris chinensis , Ixeris laevigata var.oldhami , Clerodendrum Inerme ), Callicarpa formosana , Pratia nummularia B. Acanthopanax trifoliatus plant extract. According to the current trend, there is still a need to develop products that are natural, safe, and have better whitening and wrinkle resistance and skin elasticity.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a composition for preventing skin aging comprising a fairy fruit extract.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a cosmetic which prevents skin aging, which comprises the composition of the present invention.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a use of a fairy fruit extract for the preparation of a composition for preventing skin aging.

The invention is described in detail in the following sections. Other features, objects, and advantages of the invention are apparent from the embodiments of the invention and the appended claims.

Prior to the present invention, there was no report indicating or speculating that the celestial fruit has the effect of delaying skin aging, especially wrinkle prevention, whitening, reducing fine lines, improving skin elasticity, and even no report indicating that the celestial fruit has a skin wound. The effect of healing. In the present invention, it has been unexpectedly found that the extract of the celestial fruit has an effect of inhibiting the secretion of MMP-1, MMP-2 and MMP-9 by the cells and inhibiting the elastase. Accordingly, the present invention provides a fruit-containing fruit extract which can be used for preventing skin aging, such as wrinkle prevention, whitening, fine lines reduction, skin elasticity, and wound healing.

The present invention further provides a composition for preventing skin aging comprising the extract of the celestial fruit of the present invention. The invention further provides the use of a fairy fruit extract according to the invention for the preparation of a composition for preventing skin aging.

Unless otherwise defined herein, the scientific terms used in connection with the present invention shall have the meaning commonly understood by one of ordinary skill. The meaning and scope of the terms should be clear; however, if there is any potential ambiguity, the definitions provided herein take precedence over any dictionary or foreign definition.

Unless otherwise indicated, it is to be understood that the following terms as used in this disclosure have the following meanings: The term "skin aging" as used herein includes the appearance and function of the skin, such as the appearance of fine lines on the skin surface, deep wrinkles, cracks. , lump, large pores, scales, loss of skin elasticity (such as eye bags), loss of skin firmness, skin discoloration (such as dark circles), spots, pigmentation, skin keratinization, telangiectasia and other tissue changes.

The term "preventing" as used herein means preventing or preventing the onset of symptoms, or ameliorating or reverting to a symptom that has already occurred.

The term "carrier" or "carrier acceptable in cosmetics" means a diluent, excipient or the like which is well known to those of ordinary skill in the art of making cosmetics.

The cosmetic of the present invention may further comprise an active ingredient which is useful for preventing skin aging, such as vitamin A acid, vitamin A alcohol, arbutin, hyaluronic acid, epidermal growth factor and other natural whitening ingredients.

The term "Essence Extract" means an extract obtained by solvent extraction of the plant of the celestial fruit. Preferably, the extract of the celestial fruit of the present invention is obtained by using Taiwanese celestial fruit produced in Taiwan, and the whole plant of the celestial fruit is dried, and then obtained by solvent extraction using ultrasonic vibration or reflux. Preferably, the extract of the celestial fruit of the present invention is taken from the fruit or root of the fruit. The solvent used in the present invention is preferably a group selected from the group consisting of alcohols, DMSO, ethyl acetate, acetone, halogenated solvents or mixtures thereof, more preferably methanol having a concentration of from about 100% to about 25%. Or ethanol. More preferably, the angel extract of the present invention has an HPLC profile as shown in FIG. The preparation of the extract of the celestial fruit of the present invention can use apigenin as an index component as a standard for quality control in the process.

In a preferred embodiment, the invention provides a composition comprising the extract of the celestial fruit of the invention.

In a preferred embodiment, the composition of the invention comprises from about 0.5 to 5 mg/mL of the extract of the celestial fruit. Preferably, the compositions of the present invention comprise from about 1 to 5 mg/mL of the extract of Celery. Most preferably, the compositions of the present invention comprise about 1, 2.5 or 5 mg/mL of the extract of the celestial fruit.

The extracts and compositions of the present invention have the activity of inhibiting matrix metalloproteinase-1, -2 and -9 (MMP-1, MMP-2 and MMP-9) and inhibiting the activity of elastase.

Unless the context requires otherwise, singular terms shall include the plural and plural terms shall include the singular.

The present invention is directed to the preparation of the extract of the celestial fruit and its use for preventing skin aging in the following non-limiting examples. The examples are not to be construed as limiting the invention in any way. Modifications and variations of the embodiments discussed herein may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, and still fall within the scope of the invention.

Instance Example 1 Preparation of Taiwan Cereal Fruit Extract Sample

This example is based on the origin of Taiwan's celestial fruit, and the Taiwanese celestial fruit used has passed the "Taiwan celestial fruit pesticide and heavy metal limited standard value".

Take Taiwan's celestial fruit (dry material purchase), take the appearance of a part of the root whisker, part of the inclusion less than four centimeters of the sheet, and grind it through a 30-hole sieve. The moisture content was tested according to the operating instructions of the infrared moisture analyzer, and the moisture content of the Taiwanese fruit sample was controlled to be less than 10%.

Take 50 grams of Taiwan celestial fruit with a moisture content of less than 10% in a 1 liter four-neck flat-bottomed flask, add 500 ml of 100% methanol, heat and reflux for 4 hours, centrifuge and filter, and quantify the filtrate volume (V1) and take 1 The filtrate was subjected to subsequent HPLC analysis. The residue in a 500 ml methanol dissolving flask was again added, and the mixture was subjected to a second heating and reflux extraction for 3 hours, centrifuged and filtered, and the filtrate volume (V2) was quantified and 1 ml of the filtrate was subjected to HPLC analysis.

Weigh the sample to about 10 mg of the extract, add 1 ml of 100% methanol, shake at room temperature for 30 minutes with an ultrasonic oscillator, centrifuge and filter, and take 1 ml of filtrate for HPLC analysis.

Example 2 Standard and blank solution preparation

Weigh 5mg of apigenin in a 2mL weighing bottle, add a little methanol and dissolve it, then add methanol to the mark to make the standard concentration 2500μg/mL. Continue to dilute the standard of different concentrations according to the volume indicated in Table 2 by adding methanol:

After the HPLC analysis, the concentration of the standard solution of different concentrations is taken as the abscissa value, and the peak area value is the ordinate value for linear regression analysis, and the XY line passing through the origin is obtained, and the correlation coefficient (R2) of the standard curve is obtained. 0.999~1 can be used. In this example, 50% mobile phase A and 50% mobile phase B were used as blank solutions.

Example 3 HPLC analysis equipment and method for HPLC analysis test of the extract and standard of the present invention material

All solvents and reagents were HPLC grade (purchased from Merck). Celestial indicator ingredient standard (HPLC calibrated 99%) Aplgenin (purchased from Sigma).

instrument

American company WATERS high performance liquid chromatography system (LC-Module I). Analytical balance, the reading can be up to 0.1 mg.

HPLC analysis conditions

The column was ODS3, C18 column (250×4.6mm, 5μm) (purchased from Varian), the column temperature was room temperature, the measurement wavelength was 254nm, the injection volume was 15μL, the mobile phase velocity was 0.8mL/min, and methanol was used. As a sample solvent, the analysis time was 42 minutes. Prior to injection, each sample was first filtered through a 0.45 μm Nylon filter. After injection, the C18 column is filtered with a guard column.

Mobile phase preparation by HPLC analysis

Mobile phase A: 0.1% aqueous solution of trichloroacetic acid (TFA).

Mobile phase B: 100% methanol

The gradient analysis conditions are shown in Table 1:

Perform five injections first, including the secondary standard solution, the secondary sample solution, and at least one blank solution to confirm the presence of non-interfering substances, and then analyze the sample. Once the sample has been injected six times, the standard must be analyzed again to confirm the stability of the HPLC instrument. Once all samples have been analyzed, the standard is analyzed again.

The HPLC analysis of the samples of the centipede and the standards prepared according to the above Examples 1 and 2 is shown in Fig. 1, wherein the residence time (RT) of apigenin was 24.5 minutes.

The apigenin content is calculated as follows:

Concentration 1: the apigenin concentration measured in the first extraction according to the external standard method (ppm; μg/mL)

Concentration 2: the concentration of apigenin measured in the second extraction according to the external standard method (ppm; μg/mL)

V1 and V2 are the filtrate volume (mL) taken for the first and second extractions.

Test of biological activity of the extract of the celestial fruit extract

The activity test of the fruit extract sample was commissioned by Taipei Medical University. The test items included: the ability of the extract of the celestial fruit extract to inhibit MMP-1, MMP-2, MMP-9 and elastase,

Example 4 Test of MMP Activity Inhibition of Celestial Fruit Extract Samples

A sample of the fruit extract was prepared according to the method of Example 1.

Comparative samples: (1) 10 μg/mL retinoic acid and (2) 10 μg/mL retinol.

The experimental method of MMP activity inhibition test is as follows:

(1) Materials

cell:

1. WS-1 (human fetal skin fibroblasts, normal control group): purchased from the Research Institute of Culture and Preservation of Food Industry Development Research Institute (BCRC 60300), cultured in DMEM, used to test the extract of the celestial fruit The impact on MMP-1.

2. NIH-3T3 (mouse fibroblasts) was purchased from the Research Center for Culture and Preservation of the Food Industry Development Institute (BCRC 60008). These cells were used to test the effects of the extract of the celestial fruit on MMP-2 and MMP-9. .

(2) Reagents

1. Gelatin (USB)

2. β-casein, vitamin A acid and vitamin A alcohol (Sigma)

3. Human recombinant TNF-α (R&D)

4. Five times Wash Buffer 2: Contains 12.5% (v/v) Triton X-100, 250 mM Tris-HCl pH 7.5 and 15 mM NaN ₃

5. Five times Wash Buffer 3: Contains 12.5% (v/v) Triton X-100, 250 mM Tris-HCl pH 7.5, 25 mM CaCl ₂ , 5 μM ZnCl ₂ and 15 mM NaN ₃

6. Five times Wash Buffer 4: Contains 250 mM Tris-HCl pH 7.5, 25 mM CaCl ₂ , 5 μM ZnCl ₂ and 15 mM NaN ₃

7. Gelatin/casein buffer: contains 40% (v/v) 2M Tris-HCl pH 8.8 and 60% (v/v) H ₂ O

8. 30% acrylamide: contains 1% (w/v) bis-acrylamide and 29% (w/v) acrylamide

9. Five times the sample buffer: contains 0.2 M Tris-HCl pH 6.8, 5% (w/v) sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), 20% (w/v) glycerol and 0.1% (w/v )BPB

10. Coomassie blue R250: contains 0.25% (w/v) Coomassie brilliant blue, 45% (v/v) methanol and 10% (v/v) glacial acetic acid

11. De-dye: Contains 10% (v/v) glacial acetic acid, 30% (v/v) methanol and 60% (v/v) QH ₂ O

(3) Experimental steps

WS-1 cell processing

1. Place each well of a 24-well plate into 1 x 10 ⁵ WS-1 cells and place in a 37 ° C, 5% carbon dioxide incubator to allow the cells to completely adhere to the bottom of the well.

2. Aspirate the culture solution from each well of the well plate, add a new culture solution and mix the appropriate sample, and place it in the incubator for 24 hours.

3. Aspirate the culture medium in which the sample was mixed in the well plate, and add a culture solution containing no serum or 10 ng/mL TNF- mixed with an appropriate sample, and placed in an incubator for 24 hours.

4. Collect the supernatant and store in a -80 ° C refrigerator.

NIH-3T3 cell processing

1. NIH-3T3 cells were plated into 24-well plates in DMEM medium containing 10% FBS. The number of cells per well was 1 × 10 ⁵ and the medium volume was 0.5 mL.

2. After the cells are attached to the bottom of the hole, add 1 mg/mL of the sample to the cells for 48 hours, then remove the medium containing FBS, add the medium without FBS, and re-add the sample of 1 mg/mL, then Human recombinant TNF-α (10 ng/mL) was stimulated for 24 hours, and 0.5 mL of the cell suspension was collected for experimental testing.

3. Collect the supernatant and store in a -80 ° C refrigerator.

Analysis of zymography gel

1. Prepare the same enzyme photo film.

2. Mix the sample with its 1/4 volume buffer and leave it at room temperature for 5 to 10 minutes.

3. Perform the same enzyme electrophoresis.

4. Double the washing buffer 2 onto the electrophoresis film and shake it evenly for 1 hour at room temperature.

5. Remove Wash Buffer 2, add twice to Wash Buffer 3, and shake at room temperature for 30 minutes.

6. Wash buffer 3 was removed, double wash buffer 4 was added, and shaken evenly at 37 ° C for 18 hours.

7. Remove Wash Buffer 4 and add Coomass Blue to shake evenly for 20 minutes.

8. Remove Coomassie Blue, add Trinitro X100 (Triton X100) or a rejectant until the strip on the film is clearly visible. This step takes about 30 minutes to 1 hour.

9. Capture the film image with KODAK EDAS290 and quantify each band with KODAK 1D image analysis software.

10. KODAK 1D image analysis software framed bands with known molecular weights of 52 kD (MMP-1), 72 kD (MMP-2) and 92 kD (MMP-9), and then framed the same area underneath. The background value is then the total intensity of the brightness of the framed strips is deducted from the background value of the same area. Since the culture solution is a negative control group, the value obtained is divided by the numerical value of the culture solution, and the value is the percentage of activity of inhibiting MMP-1, MMP-2 and MMP-9, that is, 100% [(sample Background value) / culture fluid strength)] × 100%.

11. The film is fixed on a plastic plate with cellophane and air dried.

The same efficacy spectroscopy map of the sample 1 day of the fruit extract of the present invention is shown in FIG. 2, and the test results of the inhibitory ability of the celestial fruit extract sample and the comparative sample for the secretion of MMP-1, MMP-2 and MMP-9 by the cells are shown in the table. 3 is shown.

As can be seen from Fig. 2, the 1 cell treated with the extract of the celestial fruit of the present invention was similar in color to the cells treated with vitamin A acid. Therefore, the extract of the celestial fruit of the present invention is similar to vitamin A acid and has the ability to inhibit the activities of MMP-1, MMP2 and MMP-9.

According to the results of Table 3, the inhibitory effect of the concentration of the fruit extract of 1 mg/mL on MMP-1 and MMP-9 was better or closer to that of 10 μg/mL of A acid. A acid is known to be approved by the US FDA to relieve fine lines caused by photoaging and to treat skin damage caused by ultraviolet rays in the sun. Therefore, the extract of the celestial fruit of the present invention has the effects of reducing fine lines and slowing down skin aging.

In addition, the results in Table 3 show that the inhibitory effect of the extract of the celestial fruit on MMP-2 is better or closer to that of 10 μg/mL of A acid, and thus has an effect of promoting skin wound healing.

Example 5 Test of Elastase Activity Inhibition of Celestial Fruit Extract Samples

A sample of the fruit extract was prepared according to the method of Example 1. The experimental methods for the elastase activity inhibition test are as follows:

1. Add 50 μL of 1× reaction buffer to the 96-well plate to be used as a negative control group, and 50 μL of N-Methoxysuccinyl-Ala-Ala-Pro-Val-chloromethyl ketone (final concentration of 0.01 mM) as a positive control group. And 50 μL of the extract of the invention of the invention, at a concentration of 1 mg/mL, and tested in duplicate. In the above negative control group, 1 time of the reaction buffer was obtained by diluting 10 times of the reaction buffer with deionized water (Mill-Q or the same grade), and the composition of the 10 times buffer was 1 M Tris-HCl in 28 mL. , pH 8.0, 2 mM sodium azide.

2. Add 100 μL of elastase (0.5 U/mL) to a final concentration of 0.25 U/mL.

3. Then 50 μL of elastin (100 g/mL), which is the substrate of elastase, was added at a final concentration of 25 μg/mL.

4. After allowing it to act at room temperature for two hours, the fluorescence intensity (HIDEX Chameleon Microplate Reader, Finland) was measured at an excitation wavelength of 485 ± 10 nm and a divergence wavelength of 530 ± 15 nm, and then the percent inhibition was calculated.

5. Calculation formula:

(sex control group fluorescence intensity value - inhibitor (positive control group or test sample) fluorescence intensity value) / negative control group fluorescence intensity value × 100% according to the example 1 of the present invention, the angel fruit extract for elastase The activity inhibition ability test results are shown in Table 4.

According to the results of Table 4, when the concentration of the extract of the celestial fruit of the present invention is about 1 mg/mL, the inhibitory effect on elastase is close to that of 0.01 mM N-Methoxysuccinyl-Ala-Ala-Pro-Val-chloromethyl ketone. Therefore, the extract of the celestial fruit of the present invention has the effects of protecting skin elastin, preserving skin moisture and increasing skin elasticity.

1 is an HPLC analysis chart of a sample of a fairy fruit extract and a sample of the standard of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a gelatin/casein analysis pattern of the extract of the fruit of the present invention.

(no component symbol description)

Claims (18)

A Ficus formosana Maxim extract for preventing skin aging, which is obtained by extracting celestial fruit with an alcohol. The extract of claim 1, wherein the extraction is performed by ultrasonic vibration or reflux. The extract of claim 1, wherein the alcohol is methanol, ethanol or n-butanol. The extract of claim 1, wherein the alcohol is methanol. The extract of claim 3, wherein the concentration of the methanol or ethanol is from about 100% to about 25%. The extract of claim 3, wherein the concentration of the methanol or ethanol is 100%, 75%, 70% or 50%. The extract of claim 1, wherein the celestial fruit is produced in Taiwan. The extract of claim 1, wherein the fruit is a fruit or a root portion. An extract according to claim 1 which has the following HPLC profile: Among them, the HPLC analysis was carried out using the following conditions: 1) Instrument: American WATERS high performance liquid chromatography system (LC-Module I); 2) Chromatography column: ODS3, C18 column (250 × 4.6 mm, 5 μm , purchased from Varian); 3) column temperature: room temperature; 4) measurement wavelength: 254 nm; 5) injection volume: 15 μL; 6) mobile phase velocity: 0.8 mL/min; 7) analysis time; 42 minutes; 8) Cereal index standard (HPLC calibration 99%): apigenin (Sigma); 9) Samples are first filtered with 0.45 μm Nylon filter before injection; 10) After injection, C18 column has another guard column Filtration; 11) Mobile phase A: 0.1% aqueous trichloroacetic acid solution, mobile phase B: 100% methanol; and 12) Gradient analysis conditions: The extract according to any one of claims 1 to 9, which has an activity of inhibiting MMP-1, MMP-2 and/or MMP-9. The extract of any one of claims 1 to 9, which has an activity of inhibiting elastase. The extract according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the prevention of skin aging comprises reducing fine lines on the skin, promoting healing of skin wounds, preserving skin moisture and increasing skin elasticity. A composition for preventing skin aging comprising the extract of any one of claims 1 to 12 and a carrier acceptable for use in cosmetics. The composition of claim 13 which further comprises other active ingredients which are useful for preventing skin aging. The composition of claim 13 or 14, wherein preventing skin aging comprises reducing fine lines on the skin, promoting healing of the skin wound, preserving skin moisture, and increasing skin elasticity. The composition of claim 13 or 14, wherein the extract is present in the composition in an amount of from about 0.5 to 5 mg/mL. A composition according to claim 13 or 14, which may be a cosmetic, a food or a pharmaceutical. A use of the extract of the celestial fruit of any one of claims 1 to 9 for the preparation of a composition for preventing skin aging.