• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.19-25
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• 2019

Objectives : Thymol (2-isopropyl-5-methylphenol), a natural monoterpenoid phenol, is one of the major odorant constituents found in natural essential oils of various herbal plants, such as Thymus quinquecostatus and Thymus vulgaris. Multiple biological activities of thymol, including antioxidative, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory effects, have been reported in numerous in vitro studies, and recently it was suggested that thymol may could inhibit oxidization of L-dihydroxyphenylalanine (L-DOPA) to dopaquinone required in melanogenesis pathway, as an antioxidant. Methods : MTT assay was performed to test the cytotoxic effect of thymol in B16F10 cells. Inhibitory effect of thymol to tyrosinase activities were examined using both mushroom tyrosinase and intracellular tyrosinase. Expression level of tyrosinase in B16F10 cells were investigated by western blot analysis. Results : The cell viability was decreased by thymol treatment in dose-dependant manner, leading significant cytotoxicity in 500 and $1000{\mu}M$ thymol-treated groups. In the alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone (${\alpha}$-MSH)-induced melanogenesis, administration of thymol significantly decreased extracellular (secreted) melanin content in dose-dependent manner. Cellular tyrosinase activity assay and western blot analysis of intracellular tyrosinase showed that thymol has a strong anti-melanogenic effect by inhibition of tyrosinase activity and by decreasing expression of tyrosinase that contribute to melanin synthesis in the B1610 cells. Conclusions : As the first functional study that prove anti-melanogenic effect of thymol and its underlying mechanism in the living cells, our study suggests the applicability of fragrance as the functional materials of cosmetics or health supplement, not as just an additive.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.31 no.3 s.52
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• pp.265-271
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• 2005

This study is performed to investigate the effects of citrus essential oils on melanin production in B16 melanoma cells and reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation in RBL 2H3 cells. Five kinds of citrus essential oil (bergamot, grapefruit, lemmon, mandarin, petigrain) did not have any influence on DPPH radical scavenger activity, cell growth and cytotoxicity in B16 melanoma cells. In purified tyrosinase assay, both mandarin and petigrain essential oils dose-dependently inhibited its activity, but bergamot did not. In $1{\mu}M\;{\alpha}-MSH-stimulated$ B16 melanoma cells, all of 5 citrus essential oils inhibited melanin production in $\underline{a}$ dose dependent manner. On the other hand, four kinds of citrus essential oil dose-dependently increased ROS generation in RBL 2H3 mast cells, but mandarin did not. From the above results, it is possible that citrus essential oils nay be developed to be anti-melanogenic agent on the basis of their inhibitory effect on MSH-induced melanin production. Hut we can not rule out the possibility of the induction of allergy and inflammation since citrus essential oils caused ROS generation in RBL 2H3 mast cells.

• KSBB Journal
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.14-19
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• 2016

To investigate the effect of peanut sprout extract on skin care, we measured anti-oxidant activity and whitening action. As a result of measuring DPPH radical scavenging activity to examine independent anti-oxidation of peanut sprout extract, there was strongly scavenging activity. Fluorescent material DCF-DA was used to measure hydrogen peroxide created in RAW 264.7 cells, and all concentration dependently decreased ROS production. As a result of measuring nitric oxide to examine anti-inflammation of peanut sprout extract, there was strongly inhibited nitric oxide production in RAW 264.7 cells. Tyrosinase activation was found to inhibited dose-dependant. Melanin production was also prevented dose-dependant. Therefore, it is expected to be used effectively in development of functional cosmetic materials.

• Proceedings of the PSK Conference
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• 2003.10b
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• pp.123.3-124
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• 2003

To investigate the relationship between structure and biological activity of phenylpropanoids, we measured effects of phenylpropanoids on anti-oxidant and whitening activity. In DPPH radical scavenging activity, caffeic acid analogues had anti-oxidant activity in a dose-dependent manner. Although phenylpropanoids did not inhibit purified tyrosinase activity, they significantly inhibited tyrosinase activity and melanin production in MSH-stimulated B16 melanoma cells. (omitted)

• 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.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.1-18
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• 2013

Objective: Recently the demands for the effective and safe depigmentative and anti-aging agents of the skin have increased due to the medical, pharmaceutical and cosmetic reasons. The purpose of this study is to investigate the MKG(Methanol Extract of Kaempferia galanga) and their dermal bioactivity properties related to cosmeceuticals such as depigmentation. Methods: We assessed inhibitory effects of MKG on melanin production in B16/F10 melanoma cells, on mushroom tyrosinase activity, effects of MKG on the expression tyrosinase, TRP-1, TRP-2, GSK-$3{\beta}$, CREB, MITF in B16/F10 melanoma cells without cytotoxicity range. Cell viability was measured by MTT assay and tyrosinase activity was assessed using by DOPA staining, western-blot analysis. We measured inhibition of melanin synthesis and tyrosinase activity by down-regulation of melanogenic enzyme expressions in ${\alpha}$-MSH induced melanogenesis B16/F10 melanoma cells. Results: MKG inhibited tyrosinase-activity, total melanin contents and dendrite out-growth. MKG inhibited melanogenesis by down-regulation of tyorsinase, TRP-1, TRP-2, CREB, and MITF in B16/F10 cells. The treatment with MKG at the 12.5, $25{\mu}g/ml$ level significantly inhibited the melanin synthesis induced ${\alpha}$-MSH in B16/F10 melanoma cells compared with untreated control. Conclusion: These results suggest that MKG inhibit melanin biosynthesis which is involved in hyper-pigmentation. So MKG is considered to be used as a whitening components reducing cytotoxicity.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.433-441
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• 2013

In this study, the anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory, anti-melanogenic activities of Endlicheria anomala (Nees) Mez methanol extract (EAME) were evaluated by use of in vitro assays and cell culture model systems. The results revealed that EAME scavenges various radicals such as 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl hydrogen peroxide induced reactive oxygen species, and lipopolysaccharide induced nitric oxide. Furthermore, EAME induced the expression of anti-oxidative enzymes such as heme oxygenase 1, thioredoxin reductase 1, NAD(P)H dehydrogenase 1, and their upstream transcription factor, nuclear factor-E2-related factor 2. Moreover, EAME inhibited in vitro DOPA oxidation and 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine induced melanogenesis in B16F10 cells. Its anti-melanogenic activity will have originated from the inhibition of tyrosinase enzyme activity and melanogenesis related protein expression. Taken together, these results provide the important new insight that E. anomala possesses various biological activities such as anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory, and anti-melanogenic. Therefore, it might be utilized as a promising material in the fields of nutraceuticals and cosmetics.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.43 no.11
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• pp.1695-1700
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• 2014

Oriental herbal liquor (Yakju) is a type of Korean traditional alcoholic beverage that uses Nuruk and oriental herbs for fermentation. The purpose of this study was to develop cosmetic ingredients using Jubak, which is a by-product of alcoholic fermentation of oriental herbal liquor. To investigate antioxidant, whitening, and anti-aging effects of Jubak, we prepared extract of Jubak and its solvent fractions. Ethyl acetate fraction (KSD E4-3) showed the most prominent free radical [1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH)] scavenging activity ($SC_{50}$: 0.75 mg/mL). KSD E4-3 significantly inhibited in vitro mushroom tyrosinase activity ($IC_{50}$: 0.82 mg/mL) and reduced the melanin contents in mouse melanoma melanocyte, B16F10 cells. KSD E4-3 down-regulated protein expression of tyrosinase related proteins (TRP)-1, -2, which play key roles in melanogenesis. For anti-aging effects, inhibition of matrix metalloproteinase (MMPs) expression was evaluated using human keratinocyte, HaCaT cells. Treatment of HaCaT cells with KSD E4-3 reduced expression of MMP-1, -2, -9 and inhibited proteolytic activities of MMP-2, -9. These results suggest that KSD E4-3 induces down-regulation of cellular melanogenesis and protects against photoaging induced by UVB-induced damage. Thus KSD E4-3 could potentially be a valuable cosmetic ingredient.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.38-46
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• 2016

Background : The white jelly mushroom (Tremella fuciformis), one of the most popular edible fungi, has medicinal properties. However, the effects of T. fuciformis in skin whitening or anti-wrinkle efficacy has not been defined to date. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of T. fuciformis extracts on whitening and anti-wrinkle efficacy in skin cells. Methods and Results :We prepared T. fuciformis extracts with water. The extracts ($80^{\circ}C$) contained 12.11 mg/g polyphenol and 8.54 mg/g flavonoid concentration. T. fuciformis extracts markedly decreased melanin contents and tyrosinase activity in ${\alpha}$-MSH-stimulated melanocytes (B16F10 cells). In addition, the mRNA expression of melanin formation factors, such as microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF), tyrosinase-related protein-1 (TRP-1) and tyrosinase-related protein-2 (TRP-2) were significantly down-regulated in ${\alpha}$-MSH-stimulated melanocyte. Furthermore, T. fuciformis extracts increased the synthesis of type I procollagen and reduced mRNA expression of matrix metalloproteinase 1 (MMP-1) in the human dermal fibroblast (HDFn cells). These data indicated that T. fuciformis extracts induce repression of cellular melanogenesis and protect against wrinkles caused by UVB-stimulated damage. Conclusions : Thus T. fuciformis extracts could be a cosmetic candidate for skin whitening and anti-wrinkle effects.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.42 no.1
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• pp.81-89
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• 2018

Background: BIOGF1K, a compound-K-rich fraction, has been shown to display anti-inflammatory activity. Although Panax ginseng is widely used for the prevention of photoaging events induced by UVB irradiation, the effect of BIOGF1K on photoaging has not yet been examined. In this study, we investigated the effects of BIOGF1K on UVB-induced photoaging events. Methods: We analyzed the ability of BIOGF1K to prevent UVB-induced apoptosis, enhance matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) expression, upregulate anti-inflammatory activity, reduce sirtuin 1 expression, and melanin production using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, melanin content assay, tyrosinase assay, and flow cytometry. We also evaluated the effects of BIOGF1K on the activator protein-1 signaling pathway, which plays an important role in photoaging, by immunoblot analysis and luciferase reporter gene assays. Results: Treatment of UVB-irradiated NIH3T3 fibroblasts with BIOGF1K prevented UVB-induced cell death, inhibited apoptosis, suppressed morphological changes, reduced melanin secretion, restored the levels of type I procollagen and sirtuin 1, and prevented mRNA upregulation of MMP-1, MMP-2, and cyclo-oxygenase-2; these effects all occurred in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, BIOGF1K markedly reduced activator-protein-1-mediated luciferase activity and decreased the activity of mitogen-activated protein kinases (extracellular response kinase, p38, and C-Jun N-terminal kinase). Conclusion: Our results strongly suggest that BIOGF1K has anti-photoaging activity and that BIOGF1K could be used in anti-aging cosmeceutical preparations.