• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.53 no.2
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• pp.121-128
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• 2020

Purpose: The Rubus coreanus fruit (RF) is an important traditional medicinal herb having antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immunoregulatory properties. These activities are known to change dramatically, depending on maturity of the RF. It is presumed that change of functional components, such as flavonoids, tannins, phenolic acids, triterpenoids and organic acids in RF, affect the various bioactivities. This study aimed to confirm changes in the anti-melanogenic effects of RF based on maturity, and to identify the bioactive compounds responsible. Methods: The cell viability of mature RF (MRF) and immature RF (IRF) extracts was investigated using B16F10 cells. To compare the anti-melanogenic effect of MRF and IRF extracts, we first assessed the melanin content. High-performance liquid chromatography analysis was performed to evaluate changes in the level of ellagic acid according to maturity of the RF. In addition, tyrosinase inhibitory activity of both extracts was examined. Results: MRF and IRF extracts (50-200 ㎍/mL) do not affect the cell viability of B16F10 melanoma cells. IRF extract more effectively inhibited melanin synthesis than MRF extract. The content of ellagic acid in IRF extract was higher than that obtained in MRF extract. Furthermore, greater inhibition of tyrosinase activity was observed after exposure to IRF extract than MRF extract. A positive correlation was determined between ellagic acid content and tyrosinase inhibitory activity, and a negative correlation was obtained between ellagic acid content and melanin content. Taken together, our results indicate that ellagic acid is one of the major bioactive compounds of RF that imparts a whitening effect. Conclusion: Our results indicate that ellagic acid in MRF and IRF extracts affect the anti-melanogenesis effect through inhibition of tyrosinase activity. Therefore, the ellagic acid rich IRF has greater potential for application as a natural and functional cosmetic material.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.46 no.3
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• pp.320-326
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• 2017

This study investigated the water extracts of fallen pear (FPWE) on tyrosinase activity and melanogenesis. In the present study, we examined the effects of FPWE on mushroom tyrosinase activity in vitro, B16F10 melanoma cell tyrosinase activity, melanin contents, and expression of melanogenic enzyme proteins such as tyrosinase. An apparent down-regulatory effect on tyrosinase activity was observed when B16F10 cells were incubated with FPWE. Results of melanin assay using B16F10 cells treated with different concentrations (50, 125, and $250{\mu}g/mL$) of FPWE showed a dose-dependent decrease in melanin content. To determine whether or not FPWE indirectly affects tyrosinase activity, we assessed mushroom tyrosinase activity upon treatment with various concentrations (125, 250, 500, and $1,000{\mu}g/mL$) of FPWE. In addition, we investigated changes in the protein level of tyrosinase by using Western blotting. Tyrosinase and microphthalmia-associated transcription factor expression levels in B16F10 melanoma cells were reduced in a dose-dependent manner by FPWE. These results suggest that FPWE reduced melanin formation by inhibition of tyrosinase activity. Therefore, we suggest that FPWE could be used an effective whitening agent for skin.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.7-18
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• 2012

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effects of Miso facial acupuncture on facial reduction and improvement of skin condition. Methods : From March to May 2012, 20 women in their twenties to forties with no facial diseases were recruited. Miso facial acupuncture was performed on the both side of their face twice a week, total seven times. The 3D face photographs of each participant were checked 5 times ; before treatment, after 1st treatment, 4th treatment, 7th treatment and 10 days from the last treatment using RS-400FL(Morpheus Co. Korea) and REAL FACE. The surface distances of the 4 lines on the face were measured using Renai MEF program. The improvement of skin condition was evaluated by water content, trans epidermal water loss(TEWL), erythema index and melanin index using MPA 5. They were checked 4 times ; before treatment, 4th treatment, 7th treatment and after 10 days from the last treatment. We analyzed data using Paired t-test(p<0.05) and Wilcoxon signed rank test(p<0.05). Results : One case was dropped out due to pain and edema after 4th treatment. The surface distances of the 4 lines on face were significantly reduced and maintained after 10 days from last treatment. Water content was significantly increased and maintained after 10 days from last treatment. TEWL was significantly decreased. Erythema index was significantly decreased from the 3rd evaluations. Melanin index was slight decreased with no significance at the 2nd evaluations. Conclusions : These results show that Miso facial acupuncture can reduce sizes of the face and improve skin condition such as water content, TEWL and erythema index except melanin index.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.368-373
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• 2003

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of Glycyrrhizae Radix water extract, known as depigmenting agent, on melanin biosynthesis in the HM3KO human melanoma cells. The inhibitory effect of Glycyrrhizae Radix water extract on melanogenesis was identified by mushroom tyrosinase assay in vitro. To determine whether Glycyrrhizae Radix water extract suppress melanin synthesis in cellular level, HM3KO cells were cultured in the presence of different concentrations of Glycyrrhizae Radix water extract and the effects on cell proliferation, melanin contents and tyrosinase activity were examined after 3 days. Treatment with Glycyrrhizae Radix at various concentrations did not exhibit any change of cell viability, and increased the cell proliferation. And the water extract of Glycyrrhizae Radix inhibited melanin contents and tyrosinase activity in a dose-dependent manner, compared with untreated group. These results suggest that the inhibitory effect of Glycyrrhizae Radix water extract on melanogenesis is due to the suppression of tyrosinase in HM3KO cells.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.193-198
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• 2010

Melanin is synthesized by the melanocytes in basal layer of epidermis and distributed over all the layers of skin including corneocytes in stratum corneum, outermost layer of the epidermis. Melanin of corneocytes was stained using Fontana-Masson method and quantified by image analysis. The correlation between melanin contents and skin color value was estimated in the skin of 71 Korean women. Melanin covering area (MCA) showed good correlation with $L^*$ value and $ITA^{\circ}$ (Individual Typology Angle) (r = 0.6049, 0.6651, respectively). MCA can be used as new parameter for skin color study and has potential application for evaluating the efficacy of the skin whitening cosmetics.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.23 no.12
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• pp.1516-1524
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• 2013

To find a novel skin whitening agent, the effect of cordycepin-enriched Cordyceps militaris (CM${\alpha}$) extract fermented by fungi on anti-melanogenesis in B16F0 mouse melanoma cells was investigated. Fermented CM${\alpha}$ was prepared with fungi, including Monascus purpureus (Mp), Aspergillus oryzae (Ao), Aspergillus kawachii (Ak), and Rhizopus oryzae (Ro), respectively. When the content of the phenolics and the flavonoids and the activities of the antioxidant and the mushroom tyrosinase inhibition were measured in the CM fermented by Ak (AkF-CM), the highest content of the phenolics was 46 mg/g dry weight and the highest content of the flavonoids was 0.93 mg/g; the highest activity of the DPPH radical scavenging was 62.74% and the highest activity of the mushroom tyrosinase inhibition was 79.97% CM${\alpha}$CM${\alpha}$. From this result, AkF-CM${\alpha}$ exhibited the highest mushroom tyrosinase inhibitory activity and so it was used in subsequent anti-melanogenesis. B16F0 melanoma cells were treated with 1-10 mg/ml concentrations of AkF-CM${\alpha}$ and 200 ${\mu}M$ arbutin as the positive control. The melanin content and cell viability of the melanoma cells by arbutin treatment decreased to 43% and 92% of the control, respectively. AkF-CM${\alpha}$ treatment at 1, 3, and 5 mg/ml concentrations decreased the extracellular melanin release induced by IBMX treatment by 35%, 45%, and 53%, respectively. AkF-CM${\alpha}$ showed inhibitory activity against both intracellular tyrosinase in melanoma cells and mushroom tyrosinase. AkF-CM${\alpha}$ reduced the protein level of tyrosinase in the IBMX-stimulated cells. These results indicate that AkF-CM${\alpha}$ suppressed the activity and protein content of cellular tyrosinase and decreased the total melanin content in cultured B16F0 melanoma cells.

• Horticultural Science & Technology
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• v.31 no.6
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• pp.813-820
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• 2013

Monoterpenoids were recently found as main biologically active compounds which is responsible for various physiological effect in goat's beard (Aruncus dioicus). Ethyl acetate extract of A. dioicus (ADE) was treated to B16F10 melanoma cells for the examination of whitening activity. MTT assay was performed to evaluate cell toxicity and the result showed that slight cell toxicity (> 10%) by over $500{\mu}g{\cdot}mL^{-1}$. Thus, 0, 5, 10, or $50{\mu}g{\cdot}mL^{-1}$ ADE was used for further experiments. We found that tyrosinase activity was decreased according to ADE concentration, and the total melanin content was also dramatically reduced. Especially with $50{\mu}g{\cdot}mL^{-1}$ ADE treatment tyrosinase activity was reduced to 35.6%, and 58.8% of melanin content was lowered. In addition, whitening related proteins including tyrosinase, tyrosinase related protein 1 (TRP1), TRP2, microphthalmia associated transcription factor (MITF) and cAMP and protein kinase A (PKA) were reduced by ADE treatment. It caused decreased phosphorylation of cAMP response binding protein (CREB) but increased phosphorylation of extracellular signal related kinase (ERK). Therefore, in this paper we would like to suggest the potent usage of A. dioicus natively grown in Ulleungdo, Korea as materials of functional cosmetics by confirming whitening activity related with melanin content.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.33-38
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• 2014

In recent times, the demand for edible medication for the treatment of hyperpigmentation has increased significantly. Therefore, the discovery of a stable, safe and inexpansive antimelanogenic component from natural substances, such as grains, is of particular interest. The levels and activities of some metabolites and/or enzymes can be increased. In the present study, we investigated the antimelanogenic effects of water-soluble extracts from barley (BE), malt (ME) and germinated barley (GBE) in melan-a cells. The inhibitory effects of ME and GBE on melanin production were significantly greater than that of BE. Interestingly, the content of ferulic acid, the proposed active component of barley, was also higher in ME and GBE than in BE by HPLC analysis. Western blot analysis of the expression of melanogenic enzymes in melan-a cells treated with BE, ME or GBE indicated the expression of both tyrosinase and tyrosinase-related protein 2 (TRP-2) significantly decreased after treatment with BE, ME or GBE. These results suggest that besides BE, ME and GBE also inhibit melanin production most likely through suppression of tyrosinase and TRP-2 expression. ME and GBE were more efficacious at inhibiting melanin production than BE was and may also represent potential skin-whitening agents.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.46 no.1
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• pp.75-80
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• 2002

Quercetin is one of the bioflavonoid compounds and has multiple biological effects such as antioxidant and effective anti-inflammatory agent. Melanin has an important role in protecting human skin from the damaging effects of ultra-violet W) radiation. We studied the effect of quercetin on proliferation of B16/F10 melanoma cells. After 48h treatment of cells with quercetin, the cells exhibited a dose-dependent inhibition in their proliferation without apoptosis. Therefore, the decrease in cell numbers may be due to cell growth arrest, not due to cell death by cytotoxicity. We also investigated the effect of quercetin on melanogenesis of this cells. B16/F10 melanoma cells were grown for 48h in the presence of 0.01~50$\mu\textrm{g}$/ml quercetin and the total melanin contents were measured. Quercetin stimulated melanization of the cells in low concentrations (0.01~20$\mu\textrm{g}$/ml), whereas it inhibited melanization in high concentrations (30~50$\mu\textrm{g}$/ml). It was observed that quercetin differently regulates melanogenesis of B16/F10 melanoma cells dependent on its concentrations.

• BMB Reports
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• v.43 no.12
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• pp.824-829
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• 2010

Melanin synthesis is regulated by melanocyte specific enzymes and related transcription factors. $\beta$-carboline alkaloids including harmaline and harmalol are widely distributed in the environment including several plant families and alcoholic beverages. Presently, melanin content and tyrosinase activity were increased in melanoma cells by harmaline and harmalol in concentration- and time-dependent manners. Increased protein levels of tyrosinase, tyrosinase-related protein-1 (TRP-1), and TRP-2 were also evident. In addition, immunofluorescence and Western blot analyses revealed harmaline and harmalol increased cAMP response element binding protein phosphorylation and microphthalmia-associated transcription factor expression. In addition to studying the signaling that leads to melanogenesis, roles of the p38 MAPK pathways by the harmaline and harmalol were investigated. Harmaline and harmalol induced time-dependent phosphorylation of p38 MAPK. Harmaline and harmalol stimulated melanin synthesis and tyrosinase activity, as well as expression of tyrosinase and TRP-1 and TRP-2 indicating that these harmaline and harmalol induce melanogenesis through p38 MAPK signaling.