• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.179-186
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• 2014

This study was performed to DPPH radical scavenging activity, ABTS radical scavenging activity, tyrosinase inhibition activity and intracellular melanin synthesis inhibition to verify the whitening effect of Fagopyrum tataricum (bitter buckwheat) extract as contrasted with Fagopyrum esculentum (sweet buckwheat) extract. F. tataricum extract in consequence showed higher antioxidant activities, tyrosinase inhibition activity and melanin synthesis inhibition compared with F. esculentum extract. We investigated skin bright value during 8 weeks after induction of pigmentation in human skin from UV irradiation. In result, we obtained statistically a significant skin whitening effect from visual and mechanical evaluation. Accordingly, F. tataricum extract is expected to be high availability as functional cosmetic material for skin whitening.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.29-34
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• 2015

Fucoidan, a fucose-rich sulfated polysaccharide derived from brown seaweed in the class Phaeophyceae, has been widely studied for its possible health benefits. However, the potential of fucoidan as a possible treatment for hyperpigmentation is not fully understood. This study investigated the effects of fucoidan on melanogenesis and related signaling pathways using Mel-Ab cells. Fucoidan significantly decreased melanin content. While fucoidan treatment decreased tyrosinase activity, it did not do so directly. Western blot analysis indicated that fucoidan downregulated microphthalmia-associated transcription factor and reduced tyrosinase protein expression. Further investigation showed that fucoidan activated the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) pathway, suggesting a possible mechanism for the inhibition of melanin synthesis. Treatment with PD98059, a specific ERK inhibitor, resulted in the recovery of melanin production. Taken together, these findings suggest that fucoidan inhibits melanogenesis via ERK phosphorylation.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.27 no.5
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• pp.65-75
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• 2012

Objectives : Cosmeceutical activities such as anti-oxidative and anti-aging effects of the Doinseunguitang and its composition, a traditional prescription, were evaluated. Methods : We performed MTT assay, melanin synthesis inhibition assay, DPPH free radical scavenging assay, SOD-like activity, xanthine oxidase inhibition assay, astringent activity assay, tyrosinase inhibition assay, elastase and collagenase inhibition assay. Results : The results were obtained as follows : DPPH free radical scavenging of water extract Doinseunguitang (DISG) and ethanol extract DISG was 60% and 50% at 1,000 ppm. Xanthine oxidase inhibition effect of ethanol extract showed more than 80% at 500 ppm. Tyrosinase inhibition and inhibition melanin synthesis activities were measured in 40% and 50% at 1,000 ppm and 100 ppm. Elastase and collagenase inhibition rate of ethanol extracts DISG 40% and 80% at 1,000 ppm. It was concluded that compositive ingredients (Persicae Seman, Glycyrrhizae Radix, Cinnamomi Ramulus, Rhei Rhizoma) influenced the most results. Conclusions : The results indicated that, ethanol extract which is superior in its anti-oxidative and anti-aging effects is useful to be applied in herbal cosmetic industry.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.44 no.10
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• pp.1470-1475
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• 2015

The objective of this study was to evaluate the whitening effect of green tea seed shell as an industrial byproduct. Green tea seed shell extract (GTSE) was obtained by ethanol extraction, and the yield was 1.24%. 1,1-Diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging and tyrosinase inhibitory activity of GTSE increased dose-dependently. To estimate inhibition of melanin synthesis, viability was tested in B16BL6 melanoma cells. GTSE treatment induced cytotoxicity at a concentration higher than $125{\mu}g/mL$ but did not induce cytoxicity lower than $62.5{\mu}g/mL$. Thus, we fixed the optimal concentration at $62.5{\mu}g/mL$. Using this optimal concentration, melanin synthesis inhibition was measured, and GTSE treatment significantly reduced melanin synthesis induced by ${\alpha}$-melanin stimulating hormone. Therefore, the results indicate that green tea seed shell extracts may have potential melanin synthesis inhibitory activity and may be useful for development of whitening material as a natural ingredient.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.193-200
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• 2016

This study describes the anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, and melanogenesis inhibition activities of methanol extract and various organic solvent fractions of Arecae Pericarpium. We examined the inhibition of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced nitric oxide (NO) production in RAW 264.7 cells, 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazine (DPPH) scavenging activity, mushroom tyrosinase inhibition activity and melanin contents. The study showed that, among all tested fractions, methylene chloride fraction showed the strongest inhibition of LPS-induced NO production in RAW 264.7 cells ($IC_{50}$ value $8.89{\mu}g/mL$) and DPPH radical scavenging activity ($EC_{50}$ value $21.39{\mu}g/mL$). Methylene chloride and ethyl acetate fractions similarly inhibited mushroom tyrosinase activity. Methanol extract exhibited strongest reduction of melanin content in B16F10 melanoma cells. Based on the bioactivity assay results, methylene chloride and ethyl acetate fractions were further separated. Eight phenolic compounds were isolated, which are dimeric syringol (1), catechol (2), 4-hydroxybenzaldehyde (3), vanillin (4), 4-hydroxyacetophenone (5), apocynin (6), protocatechuic acid (7) and 4-hydroxybenzoic acid (8). Among the isolated compounds tested, catechol showed the strongest inhibition of LPS-induced NO production in RAW 264.7 cells. Catechol also showed the concentration-dependent NF-${\kappa}B$ inhibition activity. Arecae Pericarpium might have potentials to be developed as anti-inflammatory agent or dermatological product for skin-whitening agent.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.30-35
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• 2008

In order to investigate whether or not CCD-986sk cell line can be affected by Korean Ecklonia stolonifera Okamura, we examined the MTT assay when we treated Korean Ecklonia stolonifera Okamura extract in CCD-986sk human fibroblast cell line. The sample were tested for cell proliferation activity by means of a modification of the MTT assay. Ecklonia stolonifera Okamura extract showed significantly strong cell proliferation activity at the range of from 6.25 mg $mL^{-1}$ to 1.56 mg $mL^{-1}$ compared with control group. And in order to search for inhibition agents of skin melanin formation, we tested for inhibition effect of melanin pigmentation of Korean Ecklonia stolonifera Okamura using Clone M-3 mouse melanocyte cell lines. when we treated the extracts of Ecklonia stolonifera Okamura to the mouse melanocyte cell lines, the sample showed a significantly little formation of melanin pigments compared with control group at the only range of 200 mg $mL^{-1}$. These results suggest that extract of Korean Ecklonia stolonifera Okamura may represents an excellent candidate for inhibition of melanin pigmentation and for protection of human skin aging at in vitro level.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.133-139
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• 2010

In order to develop a new skin whitening agent, approximately 100 plant extracts were evaluated for their inhibitory activities against melanin biosynthesis in cultured mouse melanocyte melan-a cells. As a result, seven extracts exhibited over 50% inhibition of melanin synthesis compared to control at a concentration of $20\;{\mu}g/ml$. In particular, Aster ageratoides Turcz. var. ageratoides (branch, root, aerial, flower; $IC_{50}$ = 17.3, 6.1, 13.6, $12.9\;{\mu}g/ml$, respectively) and Physalis alkekengi var. francheti (leaf, unripen fructus, aerial; $IC_{50}$ = 6.5, 28.3, $23.9\;{\mu}g/ml$) markedly inhibited melanin synthesis. In addition, tyrosinase activity was monitored by the measurement of dopachrome formation from the oxidation of L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine. Extracts of A. ageratoides Turcz. var. ageratoides (flower) and P. alkekengi var. francheti (leaf) showed the most potent tyrosinase inhibitory activity. These plants might be the potential candidate sources in the development of novel skin-whitening products.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.21 no.11
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• pp.35.1-35.7
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• 2018

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate the in vitro inhibitory effects of Fucofuroeckol-A isolated from Eisenia bicyclis against tyrosinase activity and 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine (IBMX)-induced melanin biosynthesis in B16F10 melanoma cells. Result: Among the ethanolic (EtOH) extract of E. bicyclis and its organic solvent fractions, the ethyl acetate (EtOAc) soluble fraction showed a noticeable inhibitory effect on mushroom tyrosinase with an $IC_{50}$ value of $37.6{\pm}0.1{\mu}g/mL$. Repeated column chromatography of the active EtOAc fraction resulted in the isolation of Fucofuroeckol-A. It evidenced more potent tyrosinase inhibitory effect with an $IC_{50}$ value of $11.4{\pm}1.4{\mu}M$ than arbutin ($IC_{50}=1076.6{\pm}44.3{\mu}M$), which was used as a positive control. Lineweaver-Burk plots suggest that Fucofuroeckol-A plays as a noncompetitive inhibitor against tyrosinase. Furthermore, we have evaluated the inhibitory effects of Fucofuroeckol-A on IBMX-induced melanin formation in B16F10 melanoma cells. Fucofuroeckol-A ($12.5-100{\mu}M$) exhibited a significant inhibition of melanin production in the melanoma cells. Conclusion: In the present study, we suggested that Fucofuroeckol-A might prove possibility as a novel inhibitor of melanin biosynthesis in cosmetic applications.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.32-37
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• 2001

Mammalian tyrosinase plays an important role in the process of melanin polymer biosynthesis by catalyzing the hydroxylation of tyrosine to 3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine(DOPA) and the oxidation of DOPA to dopaquinone. These processes are major determinant of human skin color and involved in localized hyperpigmentation. Therefore, the enzyme inhibitors have been of great concern as skin-whitening cosmetics. Methanol extracts of 174 oriental herbs were screened for the mushroom tyrosinase inhibitory activity.

• 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.