• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.66
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• pp.204-212
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• 2023

Whitening is inhibitory activity of the melanin synthesis of melanocytes. Recently, whitening materials have been developed on natural materials because of its side effects on skin. Figs (Ficus Carica L.) is a fruit belonging to the Moraceae family and whitening activity was reported in focusing on the fig's stem and leaf components, but whitening activity of the figs fruit was not known. Thus, in this study, we tried to observe its anti-melanogenesis as well as antioxidant and anti-inflammation. The radical scavenging activity of figs fruits extract (FFE) was observed as the level of 34.52±1.98%/60.71±1.26% compared to the control in the its maximum concentration in the DPPH/ABTS assay. Cytotoxicity of FFE was observed at 10% concentration by CCK8 assay, so the maximum concentration was set at 5% and applied to all experiments. FFE concentration dependently decreased NO production associated with inducible nitric oxide synthase, cyclooxygenase-2, interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α gene expression, these strongly suggesting anti-inflammatory activity. In melanin contents assay, FFE significantly down-regulated melanin production in α-MSH-stimulated B16F10 cell as well as tyrosinase inhibition in vitro. In addition, FFE decreased the Microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF) mRNA expression about 94.34% compared to the α-MSH treatment group in RT-PCR. Finally, FFE significantly reduced the MITF, cAMP response element-binding protein and tyrosinase protein expression in the α-MSH stimulated B16F10 cell. Through these results, we found that FFE can not only directly inhibit tyrosinase enzyme activity but also suppress melanogenesis through regulation of MITF gene expression in α-MSH signal transduction.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.222-231
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• 2022

This study aimed to confirm the possibility of being used as a cosmetic material material through the verification of the whitening and anti-inflammatory activities of an ethyl acetate fraction from Glechoma hederacea var. longituba (GHEA). The observed electron donating and ABTS⁺ radical scavenging abilities of GHEA were 89.6% and 88.7%, respectively, at 1,000 ㎍/ml concentration, with a tyrosinase inhibitory effect of 22.3% at the same concentration. For cell viability, a rate of 80% or more was observed in all concentrations that treated GHEA on melanoma and macrophage cells. Protein and mRNA expression inhibition was measured by Western blot and RT-PCR for 25, 50, and 100 ㎍/ ml concentrations, and it was confirmed that expression decreases in a concentration-dependent manner as GHEA concentration increases. The inhibition of the whitening-related factors MITF and TRP-2 were superior following GHEA treatment than those of the control group treated with kojic acid of 100 ㎍/ml concentration. For tyrosinase, the lowest mRNA expression rate was 29.1% at 100 ㎍/ml which confirmed excellent inhibition. In analyzing the effects of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α on protein and mRNA expression, IL-6 and TNF-α showed high protein and mRNA inhibition compared to a vitamin C control group. Based on these experimental results, GHEA could be applied as a natural cosmetic material.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.169-175
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• 2023

As a protective defensive mechanism against ultraviolet (UV) light exposure in skin tissue, melanocytes produce the pigment melanin. Tyrosinase plays a key role in melanin production in melanocytes. However, the overproduction of melanin can lead to lesions, such as freckles and dark spots. Thus, it is clinically important to find a modulating molecule to control melanogenesis by regulating tyrosinase expression and/or activity. It is known that catechin, a plant flavonoid, can reduce melano- genesis through the downregulation of tyrosinase expression. Here, we tested whether catechin derivatives isolated from the stem bark of Ulmus parvifolia have an effect on melanin production by regulating tyrosinase in mouse melanoma cells and in vitro mushroom tyrosinase. The catechin derivatives used in this study included C5A, C7A, C7G, and C7X. Treatments using these catechin derivatives reduced melanin production in mouse melanoma B16F10 cells in which melanogenesis was stimulated by α-MSH. Notably, the anti-melanogenic effects of catechin derivatives were similar to those of kojic acid, a well-known anti-melanogenic molecule. Both C5A and C7A directly inhibited the activity of tyrosinase isolated from mushrooms in vitro. Furthermore, our in silico computational simulation showed that these two compounds were expected to bind to the active site of tyrosinase, which is similar to kojic acid. In addition, all four catechin derivatives reduced tyrosinase protein expression. In summary, our results showed that catechin derivatives can reduce melanogenesis by regulating tyrosinase activity or expression. Thus, this study suggests that catechin derivatives isolated from U. parvifolia can be novel modulators of melanin production.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.433-441
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• 2013

In this study, the anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory, anti-melanogenic activities of Endlicheria anomala (Nees) Mez methanol extract (EAME) were evaluated by use of in vitro assays and cell culture model systems. The results revealed that EAME scavenges various radicals such as 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl hydrogen peroxide induced reactive oxygen species, and lipopolysaccharide induced nitric oxide. Furthermore, EAME induced the expression of anti-oxidative enzymes such as heme oxygenase 1, thioredoxin reductase 1, NAD(P)H dehydrogenase 1, and their upstream transcription factor, nuclear factor-E2-related factor 2. Moreover, EAME inhibited in vitro DOPA oxidation and 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine induced melanogenesis in B16F10 cells. Its anti-melanogenic activity will have originated from the inhibition of tyrosinase enzyme activity and melanogenesis related protein expression. Taken together, these results provide the important new insight that E. anomala possesses various biological activities such as anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory, and anti-melanogenic. Therefore, it might be utilized as a promising material in the fields of nutraceuticals and cosmetics.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.32 no.3 s.58
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• pp.153-160
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• 2006

We synthesized 2',4'-dimethoxyflavone and investigated the effects on melanogenesis. To determine the effects as a whitening agent, various in uitro tests were performed such as free radical scavenging activity, melanin assay, tyrosinase activity and expression of tyrosinase, TRP-1 and TRP-2 (western blot and RT-PCR) in Bl6 melanoma cells. 2',4'-Dimethoxyflavone showed neither free radical scavenging activities against 1,1- diphenyl -2-picrylhydrazvl (DPPH) radical and inhibition of mushroom tyrosinase activity, 2',4'-dimethoxyflavone significantly inhibited melanin production in B16 melanoma cells. 2',4'-Dimethoxyflavone treatment (48h) suppressed the biosynthesis of melanin up to 27% at $5{\mu}g/mL$ and reduced tyrosinase activity up to 20% at $5{\mu}g/mL$ in B16 melanoma cells. 2',4'-Dimethoxyflavone was also able to significantly inhibit tyrosinase and TRP-1 expression in protein and mRNA level. These results suggest that 2',4'-dimethoxyflavone inhibits melanin biosynthesis at the level of enzyme activity and protein mRNA expression B16 melanoma cells. Therefore, 2',4'-dimethoxyflavone may be useful as a new whitening agent in cosmetics.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.309-315
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• 2009

In our search for the natural cosmetic ingredients, we found that Euryale ferox seed extract exhibited the strong antioxidative activity. Five active compounds were isolated from the ethyl acetate extract through various chromatographic methods and their structures were determined by NMR and MS spectral analysis. These compounds were identified as fucosterol (1), 3-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzyl)-4-[(7'R),5'-dihydroxy-3'-methoxybenzyl]tetrahydrofuran (2), resorcinol (3), pyrogallol (4) and 4-O-methylgallic acid (5).We evaluated the antioxidative, antielastase activities and melanogenesis inhibitory effects of these compounds. The $SC_{50}$ values of compounds 2 ~ 5 for free radical scavenging activity were $17.0\;{\sim}\;100.2\;{\mu}M$ and especially compounds 4 and 5 were 6-fold more effective than ferulic acid as a positive control. And compounds 2 ~ 4 inhibited human neutrophil elastase with $IC_{50}$ values of $18.8\;{\sim}\;78.2\;{\mu}M$ and compound 3 also inhibited melanin synthesis in B16F10 melanoma cells with an $IC_{50}$ value of $492.8\;{\mu}M$. These results suggest that Euryale ferox extract having a lot of various active ingredients may be useful as a natural multi-functioning agent.

• KSBB Journal
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.77-82
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• 2008

We investigated several biological activities using the ethanol extract and its fractions from Pimpinella komarovii leaves to evaluate the usefulness of its extract as a functional biomaterial. The ethanol extract showed antioxidant activities, such as DPPH scavenging activity $(IC_{50}=231.8{\mu}g/m{\ell})$. superoxide scavenging activity $(IC_{50}=23.6{\mu}g/m{\ell})$, and xanthine oxidase inhibitory activity $(IC_{50}=587.8{\mu}g/m{\ell})$. Its EtOAc fraction showed the strongest antioxidant activities among several fractions. The inhibitory effect of ethanol extract on tyrosinase activity was higher than water fraction. When $50{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ of EtOAc fraction was applied, the inhibition ratio of tyrosinase activity was much higher (42%) than that of melasolv. The EtOAc fraction also showed higher inhibitory effect on melanogenesis in Melan-a cells. The n-hexane and EtOAc fractions dose-dependently inhibited the NO production in a RAW 264.7 cells. These results suggest that extract of Pimpinella komarovii could be used as functional biomaterial in developing a skin whitening agent having the antioxidant activity.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.30 no.12
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• pp.1033-1041
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• 2020

Many people of all ages wish to have lighter skin for cosmetic reasons, and natural products attract more attention than chemically synthesized compounds. Uncaria rhynchophylla is widely used in Asia as a traditional herbal medicine. In order to find novel skin whitening agents, the present study evaluated the antioxidant activity and potential tyrosinase-inhibiting properties of U. rhynchophylla. Specifically, this study analyzed the antioxidant capacity of a 70% ethanolic extract of U. rhynchophylla as well as its effects on tyrosinase activity and melanin synthesis. Total mRNA levels were examined using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. The results revealed that U. rhynchophylla extracts exhibit great antioxidant capacity and significant levels of polyphenol and flavonoid compounds. U. rhynchophylla extracts can also powerfully inhibit tyrosinase activity. This same capacity was observed in melanoma B16F10 cells; that is, U. rhynchophylla extracts suppressed intracellular tyrosinase activity and reduced the amount of melanin in treated cells. In addition, a 1 mg/ml concentration of U. rhynchophylla extract significantly reduced the mRNA expression levels of tyrosinase. U. rhynchophylla extracts decrease tyrosinase and inhibit melanogenesis in B16F10 cells. This finding suggests that U. rhynchophylla has great potential as a natural whitening agent in skincare products.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.243-250
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• 2009

To develop a new natural whitening agent for cosmetics, we investigated the inhibitory effects of Poria cocos Bark extracts (PCBE) and its active compound on melanogenesis. PCBE showed ROS scavenging activities in 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical and xanthine/xanthine oxidase system with the $IC_{50}$ values of $19.4{\pm}2.21{\mu}g$/mL and $IC_{50}=103{\pm}3.33{\mu}g$/mL, respectively. PCBE reduced intracellular tyrosinase activity about 34 % at concentration of $50{\mu}g$/mL. And PCBE reduced melanin contents of B16 melanoma cells about 51 % at concentration of $50{\mu}g$/mL without cell cytotoxicity (below $100{\mu}g$/mL). We purified one active compound from PCBE and identified its structure. It was identified as 3-$\beta$-hydroxylanosta-7,9(11),24-trien-4-oic acid, triterpene family, by $^1H$-NMR, $^{13}C$-NMR and Mass analysis. 3-$\beta$-hydroxylanosta-7,9(11),24-trien-4-oic acid showed ROS scavenging activities in DPPH radical and xanthine/xanthine oxidase system with the $IC_{50}$ values of $4.3{\pm}0.15{\mu}g$/mL and $54{\pm}1.67{\mu}g$/mL, respectively. Also, it was shown that 3-$\beta$-hydroxylanosta-7,9(11),24-trien-4-oic acid reduced intracellular tyrosinase activity about 43 % at concentration of $10{\mu}g$/mL. And it inhibited melanin synthesis in a dose dependent manner ($IC_{50}=3.6{\mu}g$/mL) without cell cytotoxicity (below $100{\mu}g$/mL). 3-$\beta$-hydroxylanosta-7,9(11),24-trien-4-oic acid inhibited tyrosinase, TRP-1 and TRP-2 expression at protein level. These results suggest that PCBE and 3-$\beta$-hydroxylanosta-7,9(11),24-trien-4-oic acid reduced melanin formation by the inhibition of tyrosinase activity and expression in B16 melanoma cells. Therefore, we suggest that PCBE could be used as a useful whitening agent.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.61 no.3
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• pp.267-273
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• 2018

Matricaria chamomilla L. has been used as a bath agent in Europe because of its sterilization effect on the skin. Flowers contain terpenes, flavonoids are effective in relieving inflammation. Matricaria chamomilla L. has been reported to have various drug efficacies such as sedation, anti-diabetic effect and anti-arthritic effect, but there is little research on the scientific efficacy of whitening effect. The purpose of this study was to examine the whitening effect of Matricaria chamomilla L. extract and to investigate the mechanism of inhibition of melanogenesis. The extracts were used to determine tyrosinase inhibitory activity. The tyrosinase inhibitory activity of extracts was ineffective for water extract but in 60% ethanol extract was shown in a concentration-dependent manner. B16F10 melanoma cell was measured using a powder obtained by lyophilization of 60% ethanol extract. The toxicity was observed at a concentration of $75{\mu}g/mL$. And concentration range was selected to be at most $50{\mu}g/mL$. The effect of tyrosinase, MITF, TRP-1 and TRP-2 on the expression of melanin protein was investigated in melanoma cells of B16F10 melanoma cells. As a result, it was confirmed that as the concentration of the extract increased, the melanogenesis level decreased and the protein expression level also decreased in a concentration dependent manner. Therefore, it was concluded that Matricaria chamomilla L. extract inhibited melanogenesis in cells. Based on the above results, it is expected that it will be used as a useful basic data for industrialization of whitening functional food of Matricaria chamomilla L.