• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.57 no.1
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• pp.24-31
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• 2013

Although statins, inhibitors of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase, have been shown to increase melanin synthesis, the exact mechanism of this action is not fully understood. In this study we investigated the possible involvement of intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ signal in the mechanism of stimulation of melanin synthesis induced by lovastatin in B16 cells. Lovastatin stimulated the production of melanin in a dose-dependent manner in the cells. Treatment with mevalonate, FPP and GGPP, precursors of cholesterol, did not significantly suppress the lovastatin-induced melanin production, suggesting that inhibition of cholesterol synthesis may not be involved in the mechanism of the action of lovastatin. In addition, lovastatin did not significantly alter the cAMP concentration and the stimulated production of melanin by lovastatin was not significantly changed by treatment with H89, a potent inhibitor of protein kinase A, which demonstrates that cAMP pathway may not be involved. However, lovastatin increased intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ concentration in a dose-related fashion. Treatment with EGTA, an extracellular $Ca^{2+}$ chelator did not significantly alter the lovastatin-induced intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ increase and melanin synthesis, whereas intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ reduction with BAPTA/AM and intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ release blockers (dantrolene and TMB-8) completely blunted these actions of lovastatin. Taken together, these results suggest that the intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ release may play an important role in the lovastatin-induced stimulation of melanin synthesis in B16 cells. These results further suggest that lovastatin may be useful for the treatment of hypopigmentation disorders, such as vitiligo.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.323-328
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• 2011

We investigated antioxidative activity, tyrosinase inhibitory activity, and melanin production inhibitory activity of the methanol extract of Paeoniae Radix and its fractions. The total polyphenol content of the extract was 73.45 mg/g, and content of the ethyl acetate fraction was 514.50 mg/g as the highest content of fractions. In DPPH radical scavenging ability, $SC_{50}$ values of the ethyl acetate was 3.86 ${\mu}g/ml$ as a result of greater activity in the positive control (ascorbic acid). Moreover, tyrosinase inhibitory activity of the ethyl acetate fraction showed higher activity than arbutin used as a positive control. In the cytotoxicity measurement by MTT assay, the extract and fractions were exhibited cell viabilities of 76.96~157.26% against Raw 264.7 and B16F10 cell in concentration of 10~100 ${\mu}g/ml$. In nontoxic concentration range, the ethyl acetate fraction showed strong melanin production inhibitory effect in ${\alpha}$-melanocyte stimulating hormone (${\alpha}$-MSH)-stimulated B16F10 cell. As a result, the ethyl acetate fraction of the methanol extract from Paeoniae Radix could be applicable to functional materials for skin-whitening agents.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.57-77
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• 2003

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the depigmentation effects of Barley, Unpolished rice, Job's-tear. Metbods: We investigated that the extracts of Barley, Unpolished rice, Job's-tear inhibit activity of tyrosinase, the enzyme which convert ts 3-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl) alanine to dopachrom in the biosynthetic process of melanin, the UV absorbance of the extracts in the UV-A region and UV-B region was measured by UV scanning, the effect of extracts on cell viability and melanin production in cultured B16 mouse melanoma cells were measured, and cytoprotective effects of extracts on PC12 cells injured by hydrogen peroxide measured by MTT assay. Results: The extracts of Barley, Unpolished rice, Job's-tear inhibited activity of tyrosinase in low density. The Barley, Job's-tear extracts not only showed inhibitory effects on melanin production in cultured B16 mouse melanoma cells, but also exhibited cytoprotective effects on PC12 cells injured by hydrogen peroxide in low density. Unpolished rice extract showed inhibitory effect on melanin production in cultured B16 mouse melanoma cells, but did not showed cytoprotective effect Barley, Unpolished rice, Job's-tear extracts did not showed an absorbance effect in the UV-A region and UV-8 region. Conclusions: These results suggest that Barley, Unpolished rice, Job's-tear inhibit melanin biosynthesis which is involved in hyperpigmentation and could be used as a whitening agent.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.52 no.1
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• pp.13-18
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• 2021

This study was performed to clarify the whitening effects of anthricin on the B16F10 cell line. In order to elucidate the whitening effects of anthricin on the B16F10 cell line, cell viability, messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) expressions, tyrosinase activity assay, and melanin production assay were measured. The effects of anthricin on tyrosinase-related protein 1(TYRP1)/TYRP2/tyrosinase (TYR)/microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF) mRNA expressions and melanin content were determined. Quantitative real-time RT-PCR showed that anthricin decreased the mRNA expression level of TYRP1/TYRP2/TYR/MITF genes and melanin production contents than α-MSH-treated B16F10 cells. The tyrosinase activity assay revealed that anthricin decreased the melanin production on the B16F10 cells. These data show that anthricin increases the whitening effects on the B16F10 cells; thus, anthricin is a potent ingredient for skin whitening. Thus, further research on the mechanism of action of anthricin for the development of not only cosmetics, but also healthy food and medicine should be investigated.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.27 no.12
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• pp.1452-1461
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• 2017

Melanin production by melanocytes in human hair follicles decreases with time and leads to the graying process, which is a phenotype of human aging and an index of aging. The reduction in melanin production is the result of decreased tyrosinase activity in hair follicles and an accumulation of active oxygen species, such as hydrogen peroxide. This study investigated antioxidant effects and melanin-promoting effects in B16F1 cells treated with black sesame ethanolic nonpolar-soluble extract (SBEEO) and black sesame ethanolic polar-soluble extract (SBEEP). In antioxidation experiments, both SBEEP and SBEEO did not eliminate 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical, but SBEEO at $64{\mu}g/ml$ showed low reducing power. SBEEP exerted cytotoxic effects at concentrations greater than $8{\mu}g/ml$, whereas SBEEO showed cytotoxic effects at concentrations greater than $4{\mu}g/ml$. SBEEP and SBEEO induced melanin synthesis, tyrosinase activity, and DOPA oxidase activity in vitro. In live cells, melanin synthesis was greater in the SBEEP treatment group as compared with that in the SBEEO treatment group. SBEEP stimulated melanin synthesis by modulating the expression of tyrosinase-related protein-2 (TRP-2), which is an important enzyme in melanin synthesis. These results imply that SBEEP obtained from black sesame ethanolic extract may have the potential to improve melanin synthesis.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.104-117
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• 2009

Objective : Melanin is one of the most important facor in skin color. Melanin protects human skin from ultraviolet radiation otherwise it causes melanin pigmentation. So this experiment is carried out for test whether Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi(SBG) inhibits melanin synthesis and tyrosinase activity in mouse B16 melanoma cells. Method : The melanin synthesis inhibition effects of SBG were examined by in vitro melanin production assay. We assessed inhibitory effects of SBG on melanin contents from B16F1 melanoma cell, on tyrosinase activity(cell and cell free system), effect of SBG on the expression tyrosinase, Microphthalmia-associated Transcription Factor(MITF), Extracellular signal-regulated Kinase(ERK). Result : SBG inhibited melanin synthesis induced $\alpha$-MSH($\alpha$-Melanin Stimulating Hormone) in B16F1. SBG inhibited tyrosinase activity and expression. And SBG down-regulates MITF and stimulated ERK activation in B16F1. Conclusion : According to above results, SBG was improved its suppression effect to the inhibition of melanin synthesis, tyrosinase activation, and tyrosinase promotor activation. So SBG is considered to be used for an strong source of skin whitening effect.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.63-75
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• 2009

The aim of this study was to elucidate the antimelanogenic effect of Dokhwalkisaeng-tang(Duohujisheng-tang) in B16F10 melanoma cells. Dokhwalkisaeng-tang(DKT) was used to develop the effective prescription of inhibition of melanin production. We determined inhibitory effects of DKT on melanin-release, melanin production, and tyrosinase activity in B16F10 melanoma cells. And to explicate the action-mechanism of DKT, melanin-related gene expressions were determined using RT-PCR and real time RT PCR technique in B16F10 melanoma cells. DKT inhibited melanin-release, melanin production in B16F10 melanoma cells considerably. DKT inhibited tyrosinase activity in vitro and in B16F10 melanoma cells. DKT inhibited the expression of tyrosinase, TRP-1, TRP-2 in B16F10 melanoma cells. DKT inhibited the expression of PKA, PKC, MMP-2 and MITF in B16F10 melanoma cells. On the other hand, DKT increased the expression of ERK-1, ERK-2, AKT-1 in B16F10 melanoma cells. From these results, we propose that DKT may have effect on the antimelanogenesis.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.284-289
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• 2014

Tyrosinase is a rate-limiting enzyme that controls the production of melanin. The effect of bamboo (Phyllostachys bambusoides) on tyrosinase activity and melanin synthesis has not been studied. We analyzed the effects of leaf and inner film fractions of bamboo extracts on the inhibition of tyrosinase activity and on melanin production. At a concentration of 5 mg/ml, the extracts of bamboo down-regulated the production of melanocytes. In addition, the extracts of bamboo reduced tyrosinase activity and the melanin content in vitro. Our results suggest that bamboo extract may constrain melanin synthesis by inhibition of the activity and expression of tyrosinase.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.47 no.1
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• pp.18-23
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• 2016

This study was conducted to investigate the tyrosinase inhibitory and melanin production inhibitory activity of the distilled water extract of Dendropanax morbifera leaf (DMW) and the fermented extract by Lactobacillus plantarum (DMF). DMF was prepared by inoculation of L. plantarum after the extraction procedure with distilled water. Fermentation for 48 hours at $37^{\circ}C$ is the most effective condition in this study. In DPPH radical scavenging ability, $SC_{50}$ values of the fermented DMF was $37.9{\mu}g/ml$ as a result of more effective than DMW extract ($52.6{\mu}g/ml$). Moreover, tyrosinase inhibitory activity of DMF showed higher activity than DMW. In nontoxic concentration range, DMF showed strong melanin production inhibitory effect in ${\alpha}$-melanocyte stimulating hormone-stimulated B16F10 cell. As a result, the fermentation of the distilled water extract of D. morbifera leaf by L. plantarum could be applicable to functional materials production for skin-whitening agents.

• KSBB Journal
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.233-237
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• 2017

Melanin is one of the most important factors affecting skin color. Melanogenesis is the bioprocess of melanin production by melanocytes in the skin and hair follicles and is mediated by several enzymes, such as tyrosinase, tyrosinase related protein (TRP)-1, and TRP-2, MITF. In this study, we investigated the effect of Artemisia fukudo Makino extracts on tyrosinase activity and melanin production as natural products of whitening functional cosmetics. Melanin content in murine B16F10 melanoma cells were decreased by Artemisia fukudo Makino extracts in a dose-dependently. In addition, the inhibition of tyrosinase activity of Artemisia fukudo Makino extracts showed to decrease tyrosinase activity as the concentration of ${\alpha}-MSH$ was increased. Furthermore, western blot analysis revealed that Artemisia fukudo Makino extracts significantly downregulated the expression of tyrosinase, TRP-1 which treat of ${\alpha}-MSH-induced$ melanogenesis in murine B16F10 melanoma cells. As a result, Artemisia fukudo Makino extract showed functionalities as an effective whitening agent to inhibit melanin formation.