• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.43 no.1
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• pp.53-60
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• 2017

In this study, we investigated whitening and anti-inflammatory constituents from a watermelon (Citrullus lanatus, C. lanatus) vines (leaves and stems). As anti-melanogenesis and anti-inflammatory activities were screened for the ethanol extract and solvent fractions, n-hexane (n-Hex) and ethyl acetate (EtOAc) fractions showed the most potent activities. Three constituents were isolated from the n-Hex and EtOAc fractions of C. lanatus; ${\alpha}-linolenic$ acid (1), sigmast-7-en-O-${\beta}$-D-glucopyranoside (2), 1-feruloyl-${\beta}$-D-glucopyrinoside (3). The chemical structures of the isolated compounds were elucidated based on the spectroscopic data including $^1H$ and $^{13}C$ NMR spectra, as well as comparison of the data to the literature values. Whitening and anti-inflammatory effects were studied for the isolated compounds. Upon the anti-melanogenesis tests using ${\alpha}-MSH$ stimulated B16F10 melanoma cells, the compounds 1 and 3 inhibited the cellular melanogenesis and intracellular tyrosinase activities effectively. For the anti-inflammation tests using lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced RAW 264.7 cells, the isolates 1 and 3 were determined to decrease the production of nitric oxide (NO) and pro-inflammatory cytokines ($TNF-{\alpha}$, IL-6). Based on these results, C. lanatus vines extract could be potentially applicable as whitening and anti-inflammatory ingredients in cosmetic formulations.

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.40 no.6
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• pp.1278-1288
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• 2023

Hesperidin(HD) is a a potent antioxidant flavonoid found in various plants. In this study, the recovery of cell death, anti-inflammatory, and melanogenesis inhibitory activities of Hesperidin glucoside (HDG), a water-soluble HD, were compared with HD in vitro. HDG was prepared by an enzymatic glycosylation reaction from HD, and the water solubility of HDG was increased by more than 20,000 times compared to HD. Cell toxicity was significantly lower for HDG than HD. Both HD and HDG increase cell viability in UV damaged HaCaT cells. HD and HDG also reduced an inflammatory mediator such as nitric oxide (NO), and pro-inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in the cells irradiated with UV, and the reducing effect of HDG was slightly higher than that of HD. In the melanogenesis inhibition assay using the Melanoma B16F10 cells, HDG showed a superior inhibitory activity compared to HD. In conclusion, HDG, a glucosylated product of HD with high water solubility showed more than equal ability of cell recovery and anti-inflammatory potential, and higher melanogenesis inhibition activity compared to HD in vitro.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.35 no.6
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• pp.704-712
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• 2022

Research on whitening materials using natural alternatives is actively being conducted. The aim of this study was to investigate the in vitro inhibitory effects of Ranunculus chinensis Bunge (RCB) on melanogenesis and associated enzymes, such as tyrosinase, tyrosinase-related protein (TRP)-1, and TRP-2 in B16F10 murine melanoma cells. We found that RCB extract significantly attenuated melanin synthesis and reduced the activity of intracellular tyrosinase, a rate-limiting melanogenic enzyme. Western blot analysis showed that RCB extract decreased the protein expression of tyrosinase and TRP-1. In addition, it significantly decreased the expression of microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF), a key regulator of melanogenesis. Extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) activation has been reported to be involved in the inhibition of melanogenesis. Thus, we investigated whether the hypopigmentary effects of RCB extract were related to the activation of ERK. RCB extract induced ERK phosphorylation in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, it markedly inhibited body pigmentation in a zebrafish model. Our results suggest that RCB extract inhibits melanogenesis by activating ERK pathway-mediated suppression of MITF and its downstream target genes, including tyrosinase. Therefore, RCB extract can be used as a whitening agent in the development of functional cosmetics.

• 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.

• Proceedings of the Plant Resources Society of Korea Conference
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• 2018.10a
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• pp.91-91
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• 2018

The Rosa multiflora, a well-known plant belonging to Rosacea, is widely used in orthodox medicine in worldwide. However, its biological activity as a functional ingredient for cosmetic products have not yet been studied. Accordingly, an investigation of the above mentioned atrributes was performed on a 50% ethanol extract of Rosa multiflora. The antioxidant activities were determined by DPPH. Additionally, the contents of total phenols and flavonoids were analyzed. Also, the phenolic compounds were detected using HPLC. The melanogenesis regulatory effect was evaluated using melanin content and cellular tyrosinase activity in B16F10 melanoma cells. The elastase inhibitory activity assay was performed for anti-wrinkle effect. The antimicrobial activity was assessed using the disc diffusion assay. The DPPH radical scavenging ability, denoted by the $SC_{50}$ value was found to be $123.1{\mu}g/ml$, whereas that of positive control (ascorbic acid) was $27.5{\mu}g/mL$. The content of total polyphenol and flavonoid content were 202 mg/g and 86.77 mg/g, respectively. In addition, astragalin and gallic acid were identified in the extract. Also, the ethanol extract significantly inhibited ${\alpha}$-MSH-induced melanogenesis in B16F10 cells. For anti-wrinkle effect, elastase inhibition activity of the ethanol extract was 53.2% at a concentration of $100{\mu}g/ml$. The antimicrobial activity of the extract against S. aureus and E. coli was observed to be 0.5 - 5%, and no significant activity was noted against C. albicans. Therefore, the ethanol extract of Rosa multiflora can be used effectively for development of functional cosmetic materials.

• 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.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.65 no.2
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• pp.93-99
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• 2022

Lysosome organelle extract (LOE) was derived from egg whites. The lysosome is an intracellular organelle that contains several hydrolysis enzymes. Previous studies have reported that LOE performs important functions, such as melanin de-colorization and anti-melanin production in B16F10 melanoma cells. However, its principal molecular and cellular mechanisms have not been elucidated till date. In non-cytotoxic conditions, LOE significantly inhibited α-MSH induced melanin synthesis of murine B16F10 cells. The anti-melanogenic activity of LOE was mediated by suppressing the mRNA expression of tyrosinase enzyme, tyrosinase related protein-1/2 (TRP-1/2), and microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF) genes. By performing western blot analysis, we found that LOE significantly attenuated melanogenesis. In this case, LOE helped in increasing extracellular receptor kinase (ERK) phosphorylation in α-MSH induced B16F10 cells. Furthermore, MITF is found to be a key regulatory transcription factor in melanin synthesis; it was down-regulated by LOE through ERK phosphorylation. In this experiment, PD98059 (MEK inhibitor) was used to check whether LOE directly regulated the activity of ERK. Although LOE exerted inhibitory effect on melanin synthesis, we could not observe this effect in PD98059-treated α-MSH induced B16F10. These results strongly indicate that LOE is related to ERK activation and MITF degradation in anti-skin pigmentation. Hence, LOE should be utilized as a whitening agent of skin in the near future.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.51 no.3
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• pp.250-256
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• 2023

Cannabis sativa (CS) has been in the spotlight not only for its medical uses but also as a raw material for cosmetics. As fermented cosmetics are known to have various health benefits, they have been extensively researched. Here, we investigated the characteristics of CS stems fermented using various gut microbes. The 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide assay and melanin content analysis revealed that melan-a cells containing CS stems fermented with Weissella paramesenteroides (CSWP) showed considerably reduced melanin content. Additionally, CSWP downregulated the expression of several melanogenesis factors, tyrosinase-related protein-1, and tyrosinase-related protein-2. This study suggests that the anti-melanogenic effect of CSWP could provide a new basis for the development of skin-lightening agents.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.32 no.4 s.59
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• pp.219-225
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• 2006

In this study, we evaluated anti-oxidation, whitening and anti-inflammatory effects of Elsholtzia ciliata extract for use as the cosmeceuticals. Elsholtzia ciliata extracts (30, 70 and 100% methanol extract) exhibited a significant tree radical scavenging effect (up to 80% over 0.025% concentration of 30 and 70% methanol extract, over 0.01% concentration of 100% methanol extract) against DPPH radical generation and showed a significant inhibitory effect (up to 80% over 0.1% concentration) on melanin synthesis in B-16 Melanoma cells. We separated 4 fractions from Elsholtzia ciliata extract (70% methanol extract) by MPLC. The 1st, 2nd, and 3rd fractions showed anti-oxidation (DPPH radical scavenging activity and suppressive effect on Mn-SOD), whitening(inhibitory effect on melanin synthesis) and anti-inflammatory (suppressive effects on $IL-1{\alpha}$, IL-6, COX-2, and total NO synthesis) effects.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.71-78
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• 2017

Objectives : The various grape extracts derived from grape pulp, seed and skin, containing various types of polyphenols and flavonoids, have been known to have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and improve cardiovascular condition as well as sun's damaging effects. However, there have been rare reports of various beneficial effects of grape fruit stem extract (GFSE), one of the waste products of grapes. We investigated anti-inflammatory and melanogenesis inhibitory effects of GFSE. Methods : One-hundred gram of grape fruit stem was extracted with 80% ethanol at room temperature for 3 days. After filtration, the ethanol was removed using vacuum evaporator, then lyophilized to obtain the dry extract which was stored at $-20^{\circ}C$ until used. NO levels were measured by using Greiss reagent. Prostaglandin $E_2$ ($PGE_2$) production was measured by ELISA assay. The expression levels of iNOS, COX-2, TRP-1 and TRP-2 were evaluated by western blot analysis. Results : GFSE reduced the level of nitric oxide and prostaglandin $E_2$ ($PGE_2$) production in a dose-dependent manner, compared to control. Expressions of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) protein were also effectively inhibited by the GFSE. In a tyrosinase inhibitory activity, GFSE significantly reduced the tyrosinase activity and melanin content in a dose dependent manner, compared to control. GFSE also decreased the expression of tyrosinase related protein-1 (TRP-1) and tyrosinase related protein-2 (TRP-2), known as a melanocyte-specific gene product involved in melanin synthesis. Conclusions : Therefore, these results indicated that GFSE had powerful anti-inflammatory and anti-melanogenic effects.