BRITISH BIOMEDICAL BULLETIN

Elastases are matrix degrading enzymes involved tissue homeostasis and are mainly produced by epithelial cells in the skin, lungs and neutrophils. Neutrophil-derived elastases play a major role in the regulation of vascular injury and inflammation, such as ischemia-reperfusion injury. The potential elastase inhibitors could severely as targets in anti inflammatory therapy. The other important target organ or elastases are the matrix proteins in the skin, which impart the structural and functional integrity to it. Curcumin, isolated from popular Indian spice Curcuma longa, could be a potential molecule for inhibiting the activity of elastases. The poor bio availability of curcumin was addressed and arrived at a bio available formulation – “cureit”. Its elastases inhibiting activity in human cell lines were described through this spectrophotometrical study and inferred that, “cureit” can inhibit elastases activity, in higher concentrations. © 2014 British Biomedical Bulletin. All rights reserved Gopi et al_______________________________________________________ ISSN-2347-5447 BBB[2][3][2014]545-549 Introduction Aging of the skin is a continuous process associated with increased wrinkles, deep lines and irregular pigmentation. An important event in the process of aging is the production of reactive radical species by oxidative phosphorylation processes and from exogenous sources. Free Radicals are the cause of deterioration of the skin’s supporting structures, leading to decreased elasticity and resilience. There are two primary skin ageing processes, intrinsic and extrinsic. Variations in individual genetic background are thought to govern intrinsic ageing, which results as time passes. By definition, this form of ageing is inevitable and, thus, apparently not subject to manipulation through changes in human behaviour. Conversely, extrinsic ageing is engendered by factors originating externally that are introduced to the human body, such as smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, poor nutrition, and chronic exposure to the sun. Exposure to such elements, which falls within the voluntary realm, although it may sometimes occur under duress, is not inevitable and thus represents premature skin ageing. Of these external factors, sun exposure is considered to be far and away the most significantly deleterious to the skin. Indeed, 80% of facial ageing is believed to be due to chronic sun exposure. In a study conducted in Thailand, curcuminoids loaded skin cream was found to be statistically significant in improving skin wrinkles, hydration, melanin content, biological elasticity, and viscoelasticity, compared with the cream base and the baseline from week 3 onward. The product showed no sign of skin irritation, both objectively and subjectively, throughout the study. Curcumin (1, 7 bis (4-hydroxy-3methoxy phenyl)-1, 6 heptadiene-3, 5dione), is a principal curcuminoid of the popular Indian spice Curcuma longa commonly known as turmeric, a perennial herb of the Zingiberaceae (ginger) family, which is a 3-5 ft tall bearing oblong, pointed, short-stemmed leaves and funnelshaped yellow flowers. Turmeric is widely cultivated in India, China and other tropical countries. It is a powerful antioxidant with the ability to scavenge free radicals generated in the body as a result of various metabolic processes. It is also well known for its anti-inflammatory, anti-angionenic and immunomodulatory effects. Curcumin is used for treatment of various diseases like Arthritis, Gastrointestinal upset etc. Curcumin is available in the state of the art in the form of dietary supplement because of its antioxidant benefits as it provides protection against cell-damaging free radicals. However, the extent to which the human body benefits from consumption of curcumin is doubtful and limited because of poor bioavailability of curcumin. Aurea Biolabs (A plant lipids company), developed a novel composition of curcumin, which is more bio available – “Cureit” The present invention describes the bio efficacy of Cureit in human cell lines. Elastase Inhibition Assay Elastases are matrix degrading enzymes involved tissue homeostasis and are mainly produced by epithelial cells in the skin, lungs and neutrophils. Neutrophilderived elastases play a major role in the regulation of vascular injury and inflammation, such as ischemia-reperfusion injury. Elastases are available both as membrane bound and intracellular forms. Intracellular elastases breaks down foreign proteins, whereas the extracellular elastases released by neutrophils and mostly bound to the neutrophil plasma membrane, assists neutrophil migration to inflammatory sites by degrading various host proteins, such as extracellular matrix proteins. Gopi et al_______________________________________________________ ISSN-2347-5447 BBB[2][3][2014]545-549 Under normal conditions, these enzymes are under the tight control of endogenous inhibitors like elafins α1antitrypsin (α1-AT), secretory leukocyte proteinase inhibitor, and α2macroglobulin. However, large amounts of oxygen radicals and proteases released by leukocytes recruited to inflammatory sites can inactivate these endogenous inhibitors leading to severe inflammation flare-ups and injuries to the tissues. Hence potential elastase inhibitors could severely as targets in anti inflammatory therapy. The other important target organ or elastases are the matrix proteins in the skin, which impart the structural and functional integrity to it. During the process of chronological ageing the metabolic events like the formation of advanced glycation end products in the skin draws inflammatory infiltrates leading to formation of wrinkles and compromised wound healing. Hence elastase inhibitors could also serve as putative anti aging therapeutics targets. Reagents and Materials Used  Test Compound – Bio available Curcumin – “cureit”  Porcine pancreatic type I elastase