Salacca zalacca Extract’s Antiaging Effect on Aging Genes, Protein Levels, and Apoptosis in UV-Induced Fibroblast Cells

Objectives: Ultraviolet (UV) exposure can hasten the aging process of the skin. The use of chemicals for anti- aging has long-term adverse effects. The natural in- gredients of snake fruit (Salacca zalacca L.) are known to have bioactive properties such as polyphenols, flavo- noids, chlorogenic acid, and caffeic acid which have antiaging potential. The study aims to ascertain the po- tential of S. zalacca Extract (SZE) as an antiaging agent by in vitro assay. Methods: The SZE compound content was analyzed by LC-MS/MS. SZE viability test on human skin fibroblast (BJ) cells was carried out using the WST assay. BJ cells were UV-induced as a cell model of premature aging. SZE 6.25, 12.5, and 25 mg/mL were administered to UV- induced BJ cells. The gene expression of COL1A1, MMP- 1, FGF-2, and GPX-1 were analyzed by quantitative Real- Time PCR. Elastin (ELN), Hyaluronidase (HAse), Cyclooxigenase-2 (COX-2), 8-Hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), and Melatonin (MT) protein levels were analyzed by ELISA assay. The apoptosis of BJ cells was analyzed using flow cytometry. One-way ANOVA in SPSS Software was used for statistical analysis. Results: Treatment with SZE increased COL1A1, FGF-2, and GPX-1 gene expression and also decreased MMP-1 gene expression. SZE also increased ELN and MT levels in UV-induced BJ cells. After SZE treatment, the protein levels of HAse, COX-2, and 8-OHdG decreased compared to the positive control. SZE also succeeded in maintaining the lives of BJ cells and reducing apoptosis in BJ cells. Conclusions: SZE has the potential to be an antiaging agent by in vitro assay.