• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.43 no.3
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• pp.231-237
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• 2017

This study was performed to cytotoxicity, tyrosinase inhibition activity, intracellular melanin contents to verify the whitening effect of fraction from Glycine soja Siebold et Zucc. (G. soja). Using western blotting, tyrosinase expression in B16F10 melanoma cells and expression levels of tyrosinase related protein-1 (TRP-1) and protein-2 (TRP-2) were examined. As a result, all of the fractions showed a high cell viability over 82% at the concentrations of 0.125, 0.25, 0.5, 2.0 mg/mL. When the whitening effects of fractions from G. soja were tested using B16F10 melanoma cells treated with the ${\alpha}$-melanocyte stimulating hormone (${\alpha}-MSH$), the EtOAc fractions inhibited tyrosinase and melanogenesis effectively. The result of protein expression measurement using western blot showed that TRP-1, TRP-2 and tyrosinase protein expression in B16F10 melanoma cells treated with extracts decreased. Therefore, it is concluded that the fractions from G. soja have whitening effect by inhibiting protein related melanogenesis.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.37-48
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• 2017

Objectives: Artemisiae Annuae Herba is the dried aerial part of Artemisia annua L. (AAL). In Oriental medicine, Artemisiae Annuae Herba (AAH) is traditionally used to treat fever. AAH clears summerheat or damp-Heat, clears deficiency fevers, cools the blood and stops bleeding, stops malarial disorders and relieves heat, clears liver heat and brightens the eyes. Recently, there were many studies about effects of AAH on anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, hair growth and plasma lipid composition. So, we expected AAH has an availability that can effect on skin whitening and elasticity. Methods: The present study was designed to investigate the effects of AAH on skin whitening and elasticity in SK-MEL-2 cells. In this experiment, the effects of AAH on proliferation rates, melanin synthesis, tyrosinase activities and production levels of tyrosinase, MMP-1 and MMP-9 in vitro were examined. Results: AAH did not affect viability of SK-MEL-2 cells and inhibited melanin synthesis induced by ${\alpha}$-Melanocyte-stimulating hormone (${\alpha}$-MSH) significantly. In addition, AAH also inhibited tyrosinase activity and lowered tyrosinase level in SK-MEL-2 cells. Finally, AAH inhibited productions of Matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) and Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9). Conclusions: These data suggest that AAH can be used to treat patients with skin diseases such as freckled face and also used as skin whitening agent.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.35-40
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• 2014

Resveratrol is a polyphenolic compound found in various natural products such as grapes and berries and possesses anti-cancer, anti-hyperlipidemia, and anti-aging properties. Recently, it has been reported that resveratrol inhibits ${\alpha}$-melanocyte-stimulating hormone signaling, viability, and migration in melanoma cells. However, these effects have not been confirmed in vivo, specifically brownish guinea pigs. To evaluate the potential of resveratrol as a regulator of melanin for hyperpigmentation therapy, the influence of resveratrol on pigmentation was investigated by ultraviolet B-induced hyperpigmentation in brownish guinea pig skin. We found that resveratrol reduced the expression of melanogenesis-related proteins tyrosinase, tyrosinase-related proteins 1 and 2, and microphthalmia-associated transcription factor in melanoma cells. Furthermore, topical application of resveratrol was demonstrated to significantly decrease hyperpigmentation on ultraviolet B-stimulated guinea pig skin in vivo. Based on our histological data, resveratrol inhibits melanin synthesis via a reduction in tyrosinase-related protein 2 among the melanogenic enzymes. This study is the first to provide evidence supporting resveratrol as a depigmentation agent, along with further clinical investigation of resveratrol in ultraviolet B-induced skin disorders such as hyperpigmentation and skin photoaging.

• Proceedings of the Plant Resources Society of Korea Conference
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• 2019.10a
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• pp.90-90
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• 2019

Hibiscus syriacus exhibited promising potential as a new source of food and colorants containing various anthocyanins. However, the function of anthocyanins from H. syriacus has not been investigated. In the current study, we evaluated whether anthocyanins from the H. syriacus varieties Pulsae and Paektanshim (PS and PTS) inhibit melanin biogenesis. B16F10 cells and zebrafish larvae were exposed to PS and PTS in the presence or absence of ${\alpha}$-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (${\alpha}$-MSH), and melanin contents accompanied by its regulating genes and proteins were analyzed. PS and PTS moderately downregulated mushroom tyrosinase activity in vitro, but significantly decreased extracellular and intracellular melanin production in B16F10 cells, and inhibited ${\alpha}$-MSH-induced expression of microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF) and tyrosinase. PS and PTS also attenuated pigmentation in ${\alpha}$-MSH-stimulated zebrafish larvae. Furthermore, PS and PTS activated the phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), whereas PD98059, a specific ERK inhibitor, completely reversed PS- and PTS-mediated anti-melanogenic activity in B16F10 cells and zebrafish larvae, which indicates that PS- and PTS-mediated anti-melanogenic activity is due to ERK activation. Moreover, chromatography data showed that PS and PTS possessed 17 identical anthocyanins as a negative regulator of ERK. These findings suggested that anthocyanins from PS and PTS inhibited melanogenesis in vitro and in vivo by activating the ERK signaling pathway.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.8 no.5
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• pp.509-515
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• 2014

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: The root of Vitis amurensis Ruprecht, a sort of wild-growing grape, has been used in oriental medicine for treatment of skin ailments; however, its dermatological activity is not sufficiently understood. The aim of this study was to investigate tyrosinase inhibitory and anti-melanogenic activities of V. amurensis Ruprecht root methanol extract (VARM) in B16F10 mouse melanoma cells and to attempt to isolate and identify the active compound issued from VARM. MATERIALS/METHODS: Anti-melanogenic activity of VARM was analyzed in ${\alpha}$-melanocyte stimulating hormone (MSH)-stimulated B16F10 cells through evaluation of antioxidative activity as well as inhibited tyrosinase activity and melanin contents compared with those of kojic acid and arbutin. After anti-melanogenic analysis of VARM, serial fractionation, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), and thin layer chromatorgraphy (TLC) were applied for identification of active compounds contained in VARM. RESULTS: VARM significantly inhibited oxidative stress and tyrosinase activity and attenuated ${\alpha}$-MSH-induced melanin production in B16F10 cells. For isolation of active compounds, VARM was fractionated using a series of organic solvents, including dichloromethane ($CH_2Cl_2$), ethyl acetate (EtOAc), and n-butanol (n-BuOH). Among fractions showing anti-melanogenic activity, the CH2Cl2 fraction induced the most potent attenuation of melanogenesis without cytotoxicity and the major compound in the $CH_2Cl_2$ fraction was identified as betulinic acid. Betulinic acid isolated from the $CH_2Cl_2$ fraction of VARM significantly attenuated ${\alpha}$-MSH-induced melanogenesis in a dose dependent manner, which was stronger than that of arbutin used as a positive control. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that VARM inhibits oxidative stress, tyrosinase activity, and ${\alpha}$-MSH-induced melanogenesis in B16F10 cells, due primarily to the active compound, betulinic acid, in the $CH_2Cl_2$ fraction.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.58 no.1
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• pp.21-27
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• 2014

We have developed 8 peptide derivatives as potential MC1R antagonists and their inhibitory effects on ${\alpha}$-MSH induced cell growth in cultured normal human melanocytes (NHM) were investigated. From these experiments, the two most potent peptide derivatives, 5-phenylvaleric acid-(D)His-Arg-Trp-$(Lys)_6NH_2$ (P 6) and 5-phenylvaleric acid-(D)His-Arg-Trp-$(Lys)_9NH_2$ (P 7) were selected for further studies. In ${\alpha}$-MSH depleted NHM cells, we have found that the treatment with 1 ${\mu}M$ of these two peptide derivatives, P 6 and P 7, inhibited the cell proliferation induced by the addition of 1 nM ${\alpha}$- MSH by 70% and 72%, respectively. In NHM cells without previous ${\alpha}$-MSH depletion, 1 ${\mu}M$ treatment in the presence of 10 nM ${\alpha}$-MSH resulted in 70% (P 6) and 80% (P 7) decrease in cell growth and 64% (P 6) and 71% (P 7) reduction in melanin synthesis, respectively. The peptide derivatives P 6 and P 7 were proved to have no apparent cytotoxicity and inhibited the elevation of intracellular cAMP concentration triggered by ${\alpha}$-MSH. In conclusion, our data suggest that the peptide derivatives reported in this study, 5-phenylvaleric acid-(D)His-Arg-Trp-$(Lys)_6NH_2$ (P 6) and 5-phenylvaleric acid-(D)His- Arg-Trp-$(Lys)_9NH_2$ (P 7) strongly antagonize ${\alpha}$-MSH, inhibit cell proliferation and melanin synthesis, and lower the intracellular cAMP concentration, hence have a promising potential as a novel skin lightening agent.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.33 no.2 s.129
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• pp.130-136
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• 2002

Melanogenesis is a physiological process resulting in the synthesis of melanin pigments, which play a crucial protective role against skin photocarcinogenesis. The heart wood of Caesalpinia sappan L.(C. sappan) has long been commonly used in Oriental folk medicines to promote blood circulation, and as an emmenagogue, analgesic or anti-inflammatory agent as well as a remedy for thrombosis. From the heartwood, many constituents have been purified and among them, brazilin and hematoxylin are two of the most abundant. This present study was designed to investigate the inhibitory effect of butanol extract from C. sappan on proliferation and melanogenesis in Melan-a cells. After 48 h treatment of these cells with various concentrations of butanol extract, the cells showed a dose-dependent inhibition in their proliferation without apoptotic cell death. Therefore, the growth retardation by the extract may be due to the cell arrest or cell differentiation. We also estimated total melanin content as a final product and activity of tyrosinase, a key enzyme, of melanogenesis in Melan-a cells. The melanin content and tyrosinase activity were deσeased in extract-treated cells in a dose dependent manner compared to control group. The butanol extract also resulted in a decrease of melanin content in ${\alpha}-melanocyte-stimulating$ hormone (MSH)-induced melanogenesis, indicating that butanol extract of C. sappan could be developed as skin whitening components of cosmetics.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.58 no.1
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• pp.1-7
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• 2018

Genus Artemisia occurs as a hardy plant and has a wide range of culinary and medicinal features. In this study, we aimed to describe the melanin inhibitory activity of one Artemisia species, i.e., Artemisia capillaris Thunb. Ethanol extracts of fermented Artemisia capillaris (Art.EtOH.FT) and non-fermented Artemisia capillaris (Art.EtOH.CT) were tested for their ability to inhibit tyrosinase activity and melanin pigmentation. Both extracts showed dose-dependent inhibition against ${\alpha}$-melanocyte stimulating hormone-stimulated melanin formation and tyrosinase activity, without cytotoxicity. At $100{\mu}g/mL$, both extracts showed greater inhibition than kojic acid, the positive control. Protein expressions of microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF), tyrosinase (TYR), tyrosinase-related protein 1 (TRP-1), and tyrosinase-related protein 2 (TRP-2) at the transcriptional level were determined by using real-time and semi-quantitative polymerase chain reaction. To complete the mechanistic study, presences of upstream elements of MITF, the phosphorylated-extracellular signal-regulated kinase (p-ERK), and phosphorylated-mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (p-MEK) were confirmed by using western blot analysis. Expressions of p-TYR, p-TRP-1 and p-TRP-2, downstream factors for p-ERK and p-MITF, were translationally inhibited by both extracts. Art.EtOH.FT induced more potent effects than Art.EtOH.CT, especially signal transduction effects. In summary, Artemisia capillaris extracts appear to act as potent hypopigmentation agents.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.44 no.11
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• pp.1759-1762
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• 2015

Tarak is a Korean traditional fermented milk product that is fermented by adding rice wine to milk. Tarak was produced with Lactobacillus paracasei ssp. paracasei M13-65-3 isolated from rice wine, and its effects on immune cell proliferation and melanin biosynthesis were investigated. Tarak extract significantly increased proliferation of T lymphocyte Jurkat clone E6-1 cells at concentrations from 10 to $100{\mu}g/mL$. Tarak inhibited activities of tyrosinase and ${\alpha}$-melanocyte-stimulating hormone-induced melanin biosynthesis in mouse skin B16-F10 cells at a concentration of $100{\mu}g/mL$. These results suggest that tarak might have functionalities for enhancing the immune system by increasing immune cell proliferation and regulating melanin biosynthesis.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.20 no.11
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• pp.1617-1624
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• 2010

Recently, it has been found that Asiasari radix showed a hypopigmenting effect on melanogenesis through activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MEK)/extracellular signal-activated kinase (ERK) in B16F10 melanoma cells. However, the hypopigmenting effect of A. radix on the $\alpha$-melanocyte stimulating hormone ($\alpha$-MSH)-stimulated melanogenesis has remained unknown. The purpose of this study was to investigate the inhibitory mechanism of the partially purified A. radix (PPAR)-induced hypopigmentating effects on $\alpha$-MSH-stimulated melanogenesis in B16F10 mouse melanoma cells. PPAR strongly inhibited tyrosinase activity and leads to decreased melanin synthesis in $\alpha$-MSH-stimulated B16F10 melanoma cells. PPAR also decreased the $\alpha$-MSH-induced over-expression of the melanogenic enzymes, tyrosinase, tyrosinase-related protein (TRP)-1, dopachrome tautomerase (Dct) and microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF). We further showed that PPAR inhibits $\alpha$-MSH-induced melanogenesis via phosphorylation of MEK/ERK and PI3K/Akt, and that their activation was blocked by MEK inhibitors, PD98059 and PI3K inhibitors, LY294002 in $\alpha$-MSH-stimulated B16F10 melanoma cells. These results suggest that PPAR inhibits $\alpha$-MSH-induced melanogenesis by activation of MEK/ERK and PI3K/Akt through MITF degradation, which may lead to down-regulation of tyrosinase.