• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.113-124
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• 2019

The purpose of the study was to investigate the effects of sea cucumber extract on skin as a natural cosmetics functional material. Subjective evaluation of cosmetics before and after were conducted with questionnaires regarding moisture content, sebum content, melanin index, and erythema index. Experiments were conducted on improvement efficacy using skin clinical trials and questionnaires to evaluate changes in perception of skin condition and efficiency of products. With the aim of minimizing skin irritation, the efficiency of the solvent used for extraction was an important factor, and the sea cucumber extract was harvested with efficient extraction conditions at a ratio of 1:10 of 50% ethanol. The study aimed to identify the suitability of sea cucumber extract as a functional cosmetics material to improve the moisturizing ability of skin and its effect on the skin by adding marine natural animal sea cucumber extract. Clinical studies on cosmetics skin containing sea cucumber extract, excellent skin improvement effect from all items of clinical experiment in experimental and control groups. Sea cucumber extract was proved to be a stable, non-adverse physiologically active substance against abnormal symptoms or side effects of skin reactions and skin problems. In addition, the study found excellent results that can lead to its use as a cosmetics material. This is expected to contribute to the development of various cosmetics industries.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.73-77
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• 2015

As an approach to search for chemopreventive agents, we tested p-coumaric acid, 3-methoxy-p-coumaric acid (ferulic acid), and 3,5-dimethoxy-p-coumaric acid (sinapic acid) in B16/F10 melanoma cells. Intracellular melanin contents were determined by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide assay and cytotoxicity of the compounds were examined by lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release. p-Coumaric acid showed inhibitory effect on melanogenesis, but ferulic acid increased melanin content, and sinapic acid had almost no effect on melanogenesis. Treatment with ferulic acid resulted in a 2 to 3 fold elevation in the production of melanin. Correlatively, cell viability decreased in a dose-dependent manner when treated with ferulic acid. However, ferulic acid did not affect the LDH release from the cells. Treatment with sinapic acid resulted in a 50~60% elevation in the release of LDH when treated with a $200{\mu}g/mL$ concentration and showed neither cytostasis nor increase of melanin synthesis in a dose-dependent manner. Taken together, p-coumaric acid inhibits melanogenesis, ferulic acid induces melanogenesis, and sinapic acid exerts cytotoxic effects in B16/F10 murine melanoma cells. The results indicate that the addition of methoxy groups to p-coumaric acid shows the melanogenic or cytotoxic effects in melanoma cells compared to the original compound. Therefore, this study suggests the possibility that methoxylated p-coumaric acid, ferulic acid can be used as a chemopreventive agent.

• Molecular & Cellular Toxicology
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.81-88
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• 2006

Sphingolipid metabolites regulate many aspects of cell proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis. In the present study, we have assessed the effects of the novel phytosphingosine derivative, N-acetylphytospingosine (NAPS), on the depigmentation of murine B16F10 melanoma cells, and have also attempted to identify the possible signaling pathway involved, in comparison with $C_{2}-ceramide$. NAPS and $C_{2}-ceramide$ both inhibited the growth of the B16F10 cells in a dose-dependent manner. Melanin content and tyrosinase activity were significantly reduced in response to treatment with NAPS and $C_{2}-ceramide$ at concentrations in a range between $1-5\;{\mu}M$. However, the levels of tyrosinase mRNA, as well as the levels of tyrosinase related protein-1 (TRP-1) and tyrosinase related protein-2 (TRP-2) genes and the level of tyrosinase protein remained unaffected by treatment with either NAPS or $C_{2}-ceramide$. We also attempted to determine the signaling pathway exploited by NAPS and $C_{2}-ceramide$. Interestingly, the phosphorylation of Akt/PKB at serine 473 by NAPS was reduced at the 5 minute mark, whereas $C_{2}-ceramide$ induced the phosphorylation of Akt/PKB at serine 473. Finally, Akt/PKB activity in the NAPS-treated cells was elevated in comparison with the untreated cells. LY294002, a specific PI3-K inhibitor which is located upstream of Akt/PKB, inhibited the phosphorylation of Akt/PKB, but induced an increase in melanin synthesis. These results suggest that the activation of Akt/PKB at serine 473 is related with the suppression of melanin production in the B16F10 mouse melanoma cells. Therefore, the mechanisms exploited by NAPS and $C_{2}-ceramide$ responsible for the depigmentation of B16F10 cells were concluded to involve the inhibition of melanosomal tyrosinase activity.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.155-159
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• 2016

Previous research showed that resveratrol (trans-3,4',5-trihydroxystilbene) and pinostilbene (trans-3-methoxy-4',5-dihydroxystilbene) were able to inhibit tyrosinase directly; however, anti-melanogenic effects of pterostilbene (trans-3,5-dimethoxy-4'-hydroxystilbene) and resveratrol trimethyl ether (RTE) have not been compared. To investigate the hypopigmentation effects of pterostilbene and RTE, melanin contents and intracellular tyrosinase activity were determined by western blot analysis. Firstly, pterostilbene showed the inhibitory effects on ${\alpha}$-melanocyte stimulating hormone (MSH)-induced melanin synthesis stronger than RTE, resveratrol, and arbutin. Pterostilbene inhibited melanin biosynthesis in a dose-dependent manner in ${\alpha}$-MSH-stimulated B16/F10 murine melanoma cells. Specifically, melanin content and intracellular tyrosinase activity were inhibited by 63% and 58%, respectively, in response to treatment with $10{\mu}m$ of pterostilbene. The results of western blot analysis indicated that pterostilbene induced downregulation of tyrosinase protein expression and suppression of ${\alpha}$-MSH-stimulated melan-A protein expression stronger than RTE or resveratrol. Based on these results, our study suggests that pterostilbene can induce hypopigmentation effects more effectively than resveratrol and RTE, and it functions via downregulation of protein expression associated with hyperpigmentation in ${\alpha}$-MSH-triggered B16/F10 murine melanoma cells.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.259-268
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• 2014

Non-invasive technologies in skin research have enabled to use a live image of living skin without a biopsy or histologic processing of tissue. Confocal scanning laser microscope (CSLM) operated at a near-infrared wavelength of 830 nm allows visualization of inner structure of skin as a non-invasive manner. According to previous researches using CSLM, melanin cap and papillary ring were clearly observed in pigmented areas between stratum basale and papillary dermis. In this study, conversional analysis of CSLM digital images into numerical estimation using scanning probe image processor (SPIP) software was attempted for the first time. It is concluded that a quantification of CSLM images can pave way to expand the field of applications of CSLM.

• Proceedings of the SCSK Conference
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• 2003.09b
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• pp.201-212
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• 2003

The heartwood extract of Artocarpus lakoocha Roxb., which contains a potent tyrosinase inhibitor oxyresveratrol, was evaluated for its melanin-reducing efficacy in both guinea pigs and human volunteers. After 4 week-daily application of the extract dissolved in propylene glycol to the back of guinea pigs, significant reduction in melanin content was detected, with the effect greater than 3% kojic acid and solvent propylene glycol (P < 0.05). The extract was subsequently tested in female volunteers (3 groups of 20 subjects) using a parallel clinical trial with self-control. The first group received the A. lakoocha solution in propylene glycol whereas the second and the third group respectively received 0.25% licorice extract and 3% kojic acid in the same solvent. The subject in each group twice daily applied the test solution on one arm whereas the remaining arm was applied with only propylene glycol (self-control) for 12 weeks. The A. lakoocha extract was found to be the most effective agent, giving the shortest onset of significant whitening after only 4 weeks of application (P < 0.05), followed by 3% kojic acid (8 weeks) and 0.25% licorice extract (10 weeks). The whitening effect also increased with time, with the highest extent observed with A. lakoocha at week 12. The in vitro antityrosinase activity of A. lakoocha extract decreased with time upon storage at room temperature but could be stabilized by a combination of several antioxidants. In conclusion, the heartwood extract of A. lakoocha appeared to have promising potential for use as an effective and economical skin-whitening agent.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.21 no.6
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• pp.1456-1461
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• 2007

Melanogenesis is induced mainly by ultraviolet radiation of sunlight and ${\alpha}-melanocyte$-stimulating hormone (${\alpha}-MSH$) which binds to a specific G protein coupled receptor. The purpose of this study was to investigate the mechanism of melanogenesis inhibition in B16/F10 cells by methanol extract of Rubus coreanus Miquel (RCM). In the present study, ${\alpha}-MSH$ and forskolin led to a stimulation of melanin synthesis that appeared to result from an increased tyrosinase activity and melanin content. However, RCM inhibited the ${\alpha}-MSH$- and forskolin-induced melanin synthesis. In addition, RCM abolished the ${\alpha}-MSH$- and forskolin-induced cytoplasmic dendricity. Regarding protein levels of the melanogenic enzymes, the amounts of tyrosinase and tyrosinase-related protein 1 (TRP-1) were increased after incubation with α-MSH and forskolin. The treatment of RCM decreased the ${\alpha}-MSH$- and forskolin-induced expression levels of tyrosinase and TRP-1. Based on these findings, it is likely that RCM exerts its depigmenting effects in B16/F10 cells through the suppression of tyrosinase and TRP-1 expression, which are key enzymes for melanogenesis.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.45 no.3
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• pp.262-267
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• 2014

Royal jelly composes of many components, especially protein. Protein is a major factor which cause allergy. We focused on water soluble royal jelly (WSRJ) that was removed allergy - inducing protein. 10-hyroxy-2-decenoic acid content of WSRJ is 2.42 g/100 g, which is double compared to that of lypophilized RJ. To further access WSRJ as a cosmetic ingredient and potential external treatment for topical use, we investigated its ability to inhibit tyrosinase activity and melanin biosynthesis on melanogenesis in B16F1 melanoma cells. We found that WSRJ increased the cell viability in B16F1 melanoma cell and WSRJ (1~10 mg/ml) inhibited melanin synthesis in with 10 nM ${\alpha}$-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (${\alpha}$-MSH) for 48 h. WSRJ inhibited direct tyrosinase activity, which decreased melanin synthesis in ${\alpha}$-MSH stimulated B16F1 melanoma cells. Thease findings suggest that WSRJ induces the down regulation of melanogenesis by inhibiting tyrosinase activation.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.223-229
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• 2015

In this study, we investigated the effect of ethanol extracts from Gentianae scabrae bunge (GSB) on the activities of antioxidant, whitening and anti-inflammation. Viability of cells was measured by neutral red (NR) assay, and inhibitory effects of GSB on melanin synthesis was determined the melanin production in B16F10 cells. The expression level of matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) in media was analyzed by ELISA kit, and nitric oxide (NO) production in RAW264.7 cells was monitored by measuring the nitrite content in culture medium. GSB showed highly efficacy in 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity, and significantly reduced melanin synthesis in B16F10 cells. MMP-1 production in UVB-stimulated human dermal fibroblast (HDF) cells was inhibited by GSB treatments. NO production was suppressed by the treatment of GSB in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells. From this results, it was indicated that GSB could be utilized as anti-aging and whitening cosmetic ingredients.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.31 no.7
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• pp.990-998
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• 2021

Melanin is a natural skin pigment produced by specialized cells called melanocytes via a multistage biochemical pathway known as melanogenesis, involving the oxidation and polymerization of tyrosine. Melanogenesis is initiated upon exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation, causing the skin to darken, which protects skin cells from UVB radiation damage. However, the abnormal accumulation of melanin may lead to the development of certain skin diseases, including skin cancer. In this study, the antioxidant and antimelanogenic activities of the cell-free supernatant (CFS) of twenty strains were evaluated. Based on the results of 60% 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl scavenging activity, 21% 2,2'-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) scavenging capacity, and a 50% ascorbic acid equivalent ferric reducing antioxidant power value, Limosilactobacillus fermentum JNU532 was selected as the strain with the highest antioxidant potential. No cytotoxicity was observed in cells treated with the CFS of L. fermentum JNU532. Tyrosinase activity was reduced by 16.7% in CFS-treated B16F10 cells (but not in the cell-free system), with >23.2% reduction in melanin content upon treatment with the L. fermentum JNU532-derived CFS. The inhibitory effect of the L. fermentum JNU532-derived CFS on B16F10 cell melanogenesis pathways was investigated using quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and western blotting. The inhibitory effects of the L. fermentum JNU532-derived CFS were mediated by inhibiting the transcription of TYR, TRP-1, TRP-2, and MITF and the protein expression of TYR, TRP-1, TRP-2, and MITF. Therefore, L. fermentum JNU532 may be considered a potentially useful, natural depigmentation agent.