The present invention relates to a composition for improving skin
conditions comprising matrine and oxymatrine as an active ingredient.
Matrine and oxymatrine have lower cytotoxicity than retinol used as
anti-wrinkle agents and exhibit the inhibition effect on collagenase
activity and promotion effect on collagen biosynthesis at a molecular
level, contributing to excellent efficacy in improvement of skin
wrinkles. In addition, both matrine and oxymatrine exhibit the inhibition
effect on melanin production by inhibiting intracellular tyrosinase
activity, the improving effects of UV-induced skin damage and the skin
growth promotion or hair loss prevention. Therefore, matrine and
oxymatrine have the excellent improvement effects on skin conditions.
Furthermore, matrine and oxymatrine have the excellent anti-obesity and
anti-oxidation effects. The composition of this invention can be applied
to cosmetic, pharmaceutical and food composition having no cytotoxicities
and side effects.