• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.33 no.11
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• pp.3788-3792
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• 2012

Spherical-shape melanin nanoparticles with good water-dispersibility were successfully synthesized by a simple oxidation polymerization of 3,4-dihydroxy-phenylalanin (DOPA) with $KMnO_4$. Similar features to those known from natural and synthetic melanin polymers were observed from prepared melanin nanoparticles by FT-IR, UV-Vis., and ESR spectroscopic methods. Their binding ability with several heavy metal ions from aqueous solution was quantitatively investigated, and the maximum binding capacities with melanin nanoparticles to lead, copper, and cadmium ions were obtained as 2.45, 2.17 and 1.88 mmol/g, respectively, which are much larger values than those reported from natural and synthetic melanin polymers. The large binding capacity and fast binding rate of melanin nanoparticles to metal ions can make them an excellent candidate for the remediation of contaminated water.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.35 no.5
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• pp.417-425
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• 2009

The purpose of this study was to investigate the whitening effect of Angelicae dahuricae Radix water extract (ADWE) by its application on artificial tanning spots which were induced by 1,500 $mJ/cm^2$ of UVB radiation on the backs of brown guinea pigs weighing approximately 450~500 g. Thirty ${\mu}l$ of ADWE, at each application, were applied twice a day, 5 days a week, for 8 weeks to the guinea pigs. The artificial tanning spots were divided into 3 groups which were vehicle control group [propylene glycol: ethanol: water (5:3:2)], positive control group (2% hydroquinone) and experimental group (2% ADWE). The visible whitening effect and changes in melanin index were evaluated once a week. On completion of the experiment, the animals were sacrificed under anesthetization, and the artificial tanning spots were excised by biopsy punch and stained with Hematoxylin and Eosin (H&E) to observe histological change and also stained with Fontana-Masson's silver (F-M) and S-100 to observe melanin pigmentation and melanocytes. In the gross observation, the experimental group showed higher pigmentation than the positive control group but lower pigmentation than the vehicle control group. Histological observation confirmed that ADWE had a positive whitening effect by showing a lower distribution of melanin and melanocytes in the epidermis of experimental group than in the vehicle control group.

• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.219-229
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• 2009

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the skin whitening effect of Scirpi rhizama ethanol extract (SREE) in an animal model. For the experiment of the study, three brown guinea pigs weighing about 450 g to 550 g were exposed to ultraviolet-B rays on the backs at 500 $mJ/cm^2$ once a week, three consecutive weeks and the total quantity of light was 1,500 $mJ/cm^2$. The artificial tanning spots were divided into six different groups including normal (N), control (C), vehicle control (VC), positive control (PC), experimental 1 (E1, 1% SREE), experimental 2 (E2, 2% SREE) groups. Then, 30 ${\mu}L$ of SREE was transdermaly applied on the artificial tanning spots twice a day and 5 days a week for 8 weeks. With the result of a gross observation, it was found that the degree of pigmentation became apparently thinner in the group applied with E2, compared to the control or the vehicle control group. The melanin index of E2 group was significant lower than the control or the vehicle control group. In the observation with a light microscope, it was found that the degree of melanin pigmentation and S-100 protein expression considerably decreased in the groups applied with SREE, compared to the control or the vehicle control group. With the numerical analysis of melanin pigmentation and S-100 protein expression by using image-analysis software, it was found that the tendency was coincide with the results of microscopic observation.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.28 no.12
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• pp.2121-2132
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• 2018

Abnormal melanin synthesis results in several hyperpigmentary disorders such as freckles, melanoderma, age spots, and other related conditions. In this study, we investigated the anti-melanogenic effects of an extract from the microalgae Chlamydomonas reinhardtii (CE) and potential mechanisms responsible for its inhibitory effect in B16F10, normal human epidermal melanocyte cells, and human skin-equivalent models. The CE extract showed significant dose-dependent inhibitory effects on ${\alpha}$-melanocyte-stimulating, hormone-induced melanin synthesis in cells. Additionally, the CE extract exhibited suppressive effects on the mRNA and protein expression of microphthalmia-associated transcription factor, tyrosinase, tyrosinase-related protein-1, and tyrosinase-related protein-2. The CE extract also inhibited the phosphorylation of protein kinase A and extracellular signal-related kinase, which function as upstream regulators of melanogenesis. Using a three-dimensional, reconstructed pigmented epidermis model, the CE-mediated, anti-pigmentation effects were confirmed by Fontana-Masson staining and melanin content assays. Taken together, CE extract can be used as an anti-pigmentation agent.

• Journal of Mushroom
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.225-231
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• 2016

Hot water extracts from 16 domestic edible mushrooms including Pleurotus ferulae (Lanzi) X.L. Mao, Lentinula edodes (Berk.) Pegler, and Hypsizygus marmoreus (Peck) H.E. Bigelow, which are commercially available, were used for determining the cosmetic potential of these mushrooms. In this study, we carried out in vitro functional experiments to determine the inhibitory effects of these extracts on L-DOPA oxidation of tyrosinase and melanin synthesis. Based on the results of these experiments, H. marmoreus (Peck) H.E. Bigelow No. 10 and No. 15 were selected for further analysis. We analyzed the melanin synthesis inhibitory activity, TRP1 and MITF expression via real-time PCR, and Fontana Masson staining in artificial skin $Neoderm^{(R)}-ME$. Taken together, we observed that the hot water extract from H. marmoreus (Peck) H.E. Bigelow (No. 15) had better whitening effect than the extracts of other mushrooms. Thus, it can be a potential source of skin-whitening agent.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.44 no.3
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• pp.496-505
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• 2020

Background: Panax ginseng is a marvelous herbal remedy for all ailments of body. That may be why it is called Panax, which means "cure for all". Melanin is a pigment that gives color to our skin; however, increased melanin production can lead to tumor formation. Human exposure to ultraviolet B radiation has increased extensively owing to the increased sunlight due to global warming. Consequently, a phenomenon called photoaging has been observed for all skin colors and types. As a result of this phenomenon, a set of enzymes called matrix metalloproteinases, which serve as degradation enzymes for extracellular matrix proteins, mainly collagen, is increased, causing depletion of collagen and resulting in early wrinkle formation. Methods: Therefore, in our study, we used the murine melanoma cell line B16/F10 to study the inhibition of melanogenesis by Korean Red Ginseng (KRG) extract in vitro and HRM-2 hairless mice exposed to artificial ultraviolet B to examine the efficacy of KRG in vivo. We prepared a 3% red ginseng extract cream and evaluated its effects on human skin. Results: Our results demonstrated that KRG induced potent suppression of tyrosinase activity and melanin production in B16/F10 cells; moreover, it reduced the transcription and translation of components involved in the melanin production pathway. In the in vivo experiments, KRG potently suppressed the expression of matrix metalloproteinases, reduced wrinkle formation, and inhibited collagen degradation. On human skin, ginseng cream increased skin resilience and skin moisture and enhanced skin tone. Conclusion: Therefore, we conclude that KRG is an excellent skin whitening and antiaging product.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.249-254
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• 2014

The purpose of this study is to characterize the effects of KHG26792 (3-(naphthalen-2-yl(propoxy)methyl)azetidine hydrochloride), a potential skin whitening agent, on melanin synthesis and identify the underlying mechanism of action. Our data showed that KHG26792 significantly reduced melanin synthesis in a dose-dependent manner. Additionally, KHG26792 downregulated microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF) and tyrosinase, the rate-limiting enzyme in melanogenesis, although tyrosinase was not inhibited directly. KHG26792 activated extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), whereas an ERK pathway inhibitor, PD98059, rescued KHG26792-induced hypopigmentation. These results suggest that KHG26792 decreases melanin production via ERK activation. Moreover, the hypopigmentary effects of KHG26792 were confirmed in a pigmented skin equivalent model using Cervi cornus Colla (deer antler glue), in which the color of the pigmented artificial skin became lighter after treatment with KHG26792. In summary, our findings suggest that KHG26792 is a novel skin whitening agent.

• International Journal of Advanced Culture Technology
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• v.7 no.4
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• pp.125-136
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• 2019

The radish skin and radish greens are an edible part of the radish. But they are removed before eating the radish and used as a byproduct or an animal feed material because of their tough and rough texture. Melanin is a pigment that gives colour to our skin. But increased production of melanin can turn into benign or malignant tumours. These days due to global warming, the amount of Ultra violet (UVB) rays has been extensively increased with sunlight. Due to this, a phenomenon called exogenous photo aging is widely observed for all skin colour and types. As a result of this phenomenon, a set of enzymes called matrix metalloproteinases (MMP's) that serves as degradation enzymes for extracellular matrix proteins mainly collagen is increased, causing depletion in collagen and resulting in early wrinkles formation. Therefore in our study we used the murine melanoma cell line B16/F10 to study the melanogenesis inhibition by Heated radish extract (HRE) in vitro and we used HRM-2 hair less mice exposed to artificial UVB for checking the efficacy of Heated radish extract in vivo. Furthermore, we prepared a 3% Heated radish extract (HRE) cream and checked its effects on human skin. Our results have clearly demonstrated that Heated radish extract (HRE) have potently suppressed the tyrosinase activity and melanin production in B16/F10 cells. It had also reduced the expression of components involved in melanin production pathway both transcriptionally and transitionally. In in vivo studies, HRE had potently suppressed the expression of MMP's and reduced the wrinkle formation and inhibited collagen degradation. Moreover, on human skin, ginseng cream increased the resilience, skin moisture and enhanced the skin tone. Therefore in light of these findings, we conclude that HRE is an excellent skin whitening and antiaging product.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.50 no.2
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• pp.153-161
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• 2024

Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that is mainly produced in the skin by UV rays. Along with melatonin, it is a representative chronobiotic substance, and the skin plays an important role in distinguishing between day and night. However, vitamin D cannot be used directly in cosmetics because it is a vitamin that acts as a coenzyme and plays a hormonal role in regulating the expression of various types of genes. Therefore, it was to investigate the skin efficacy of provitamin D (7-dehydrocholesterol), a vitamin D precursor that can be used in cosmetics. Our findings reveal that pro vitamin D can effectively inhibit the expression of tyrosinase, the melanin-producing enzyme, thereby attenuating melanin synthesis. This skin tone regulatory effect has been corroborated in vitro using artificial skin models. Additionally, pro vitamin D demonstrated anti-inflammatory properties by suppressing the expression of TNFa and, upon conversion to vitamin D through UV exposure, it was observed to induce the production of the antimicrobial peptide CAMP (LL-37). The inhibitory effect of pro vitamin D on melanin production appears to be a result of it reducing the UV absorption capacity of melanin, thereby inducing the conversion of pro D to vitamin D. Utilizing pro vitamin D in cosmetic formulations could not only modulate skin tone and enhance skin immunity but also expect to contribute to other cutaneous benefits as anti-aging and barrier function improvement with everyday UV exposure. This multifaceted efficacy positions pro vitamin D as a promising ingredient in advancing the formulation of skin care products.

• Korean Journal of Ichthyology
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.96-104
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• 2010

During an artificial breeding as a part of restoration of the endangered Korean bitterling Acheilognathus signifer, a small number of individuals exhibiting oculocutaneous albinism were produced. We compared the pigmentation and morphology of normal and albinic bitterlings by histological examination of skin samples obtained from 10 regions on the body, fins, and eyes. There were no differences in morphometry and in general morphology of skin between them. In normal bitterlings, pigment cells were better developed in the dorsal region, the upper part of caudal peduncle region, the choroid-retinal epithelium and iris than in other areas. In the albinic bitterling, however, pigment cells were present only in three parts of the dorsal region, the caudal and dorsal fin, which had few melanin cells. Albinic bitterlings also displayed deficient pigmentation in the choroid-retina pigment epithelium and iris. Although they had different pigmentation aspects in distribution and development between normal and albinic bitterlings, melanin cells were mainly present in the dorsal regions of the skin and eyes where are exposed directly to light.