3-Deoxysappanchalcone Inhibits Tumor Necrosis Factor-α-Induced Matrix Metalloproteinase-9 Expression in Human Keratinocytes through Activated Protein-1 Inhibition and Nuclear Factor-Kappa B DNA Binding Activity

Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), which is a primary cytokine responsible for inflammatory responses in skin, induces the synthesis of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), which causes skin aging. The protective effects of 3-deoxysappanchalcone against TNF-alpha-induced damage was investigated using human skin keratinocytes. The results showed that 3-deoxysappanchalcone inhibited MMP-9 expression at the protein and mRNA level, by blocking the activation of activator protein-1 (AP-1) and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kappa B). Taken together, the inhibitory activity of 3-deoxysappanchalcone on MMP-9 expression and production in TNF-alpha-treated cells was found to be mediated by the suppression of AP-1 and NF-kappa B activation.