Protective effect of young coconut water on MMP -1 levels and collagen fiber thickness in male Wistar rats exposed to UVB light exposure.

BACKGROUND

Exposure to ultraviolet B (UVB) light plays a key role in photoaging by increasing oxidative stress, activating inflammatory pathways, and increasing the expression of matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1), which causes dermal collagen degradation. Young coconut water contains various bioactive compounds with antioxidant activity that can protect the skin from UVB-induced damage.

AIM: This study aimed to analyze the effect of the oral administration of young coconut water on MMP-1 levels and collagen fiber thickness in male Wistar rats exposed to UVB light.

METHODS

A purely experimental study with a post-test only control group design was conducted on 24 male Wistar rats divided into four groups: healthy controls (K1), UVB exposure (K2), UVB + young coconut water 4 ml/200 g BW/day (K3), and UVB + young coconut water 8 ml/200 g BW/day (K4). UVB exposure was administered for 15 days at a cumulative dose of 800 mJ/cm². MMP-1 levels were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method, while collagen fiber thickness was analyzed using Masson's Trichrome staining.

RESULTS

UVB exposure significantly increased MMP-1 levels and decreased collagen fiber thickness (p = 0.001). Oral administration of young coconut water significantly reduced MMP-1 levels and increased collagen fiber thickness compared with the untreated UVB group, with the most optimal effect at a dose of 4 ml/200 g body weight/day.

CONCLUSION

Young coconut water has potential as a natural antioxidant agent that can inhibit the increase in MMP-1 and maintain collagen fiber thickness in the skin caused by UVB exposure, thus potentially being used in the prevention of photoaging.