Krim Ekstrak Panax Ginseng Menghambat Peningkatan Ekspresi MMP-1 dan Penurunan Jumlah Kolagen Pada Tikus Wister Jantan (Rattus Norvegicus ) Yang Dipajan Sinar UV-B

Ultraviolet B (UV-B) is a source of free radicals that accelerates aging process, especially in the skin. Repeated exposures to UV-B rays activate enzymes that degrade collagen and inhibit collagen production by inducing the expression of MMP-1. Panax ginseng, a typical herb commonly used in Asia, has antioxidant properties. This study was aimed to prove that Panax ginseng extract cream could prevent collagen degradation and MMP-1 elevation in UVB-exposed Wistar rats (Rattus norvegicus). This was a true experimental study with the posttest only control group design. Subjects were 30 rats (Rattus norvegicus), Wistar strain, male, aged 10-12 weeks, weighing 160-180 g which were divided into 3 groups with 10 rats each: P0 group, without any treatment; P1 group, exposed to UV-B and treated with placebo; and P2 group, exposed to UV-B and treated with Panax ginseng extract cream. After 48 hours of the last radiation for the entire 2 weeks, all rats were anesthetized, and their skin tissues were prepared for histological examination staining with Sirius red. The expresion of MMP-1 and the amount of collagen were observed under 400x magnification of binocular microscopy. The results showed that the average amount of collagen in the P0 group was 69.38±3.96%; in the P1 group was 62.79±3.50%; whereas in the P2 group was 80.55±6.41% (P <0.01). The mean expression of MMP-1 in the P0 group was 15.43±3.13%; in the group P1 was 27.99±5.45%; while in the P2 group was 6.16±2.33% (P <0.01). Conclusion: Panax ginseng extract cream could prevent MMP-1 elevation and collagen degradation in UVB-exposed Wistar rats. Keywords: Panax ginseng, collagen, MMP-1, UVB