• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
• /
• v.35 no.1
• /
• pp.73-78
• /
• 2009

In order to investigate the potential of a Dayflower (Commelina communis L.) extract as an active in gredient for whitening cosmetics, we prepared aqueous Commelina communis L. extract We measured its mushroom tyrosinase inhibitory activity, cellular tyrosinase activity, and melanin synthesis inhibitory activity in B16 melanoma cells. It did not show inhibitory activity against mushroom tyrosinase but showed melanin synthesis inhibitory activity. In a melanin synthesis inhibition assay using mouse B16-F10 melanoma cell, it suppressed melanin production up to 32% at a concentration of $1,000{\mu}/mL$ without cytotoxicity, and also reduced cellular tyrosinase activity to above 50 % above the concentration of $250{\mu}g/mL$. In study on the melanogenic protein expressions, it had especially influence on expression of tyrosinase protein, which is a well-known key protein on melanogenesis, and tyrosinase expression was gradually decreased in a dose-dependent. Dayflower also blocked N-glycosylation of TRP-2, but affected on the expression of TRP-1 rather than on blocking of N-glycosylation processing. Therefore, this result suggests that aqueous Commelina communis L. extract could be used as an active ingredient for whitening cosmetics.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
• /
• v.54 no.4
• /
• pp.270-278
• /
• 2011

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the skin whitening effect of the extracts, Lycii fructus (LF), Dry-L. foilum (DLF) and Fresh-L. folium (FLF). Tyrosinase inhibition activities was 44% in DLF ethanol extracts at a $500{\mu}g/mL$. When the tyrosinase activities in B16F10 murine melanoma cell were tested, the activities in DLF ethanol extracts was 14% at a $50{\mu}g/mL$ concentration. The protein expression of microphthalmia-associated transcription factor, tyrosinase related protein 1 (TRP-1), TRP-2, and tyrosinase, which are all melanin related factors, showed that LF, DLF and FLF extracts inhibited the protein bio-synthesis in B16F10 melanoma cell. Especially the DLF extract showed greater decrease of protein expressions. Results indicate that the DLF extract tested in the present study had skin whitening activity and can be used as a function a ingredients for food and cosmetic compositions.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
• /
• v.24 no.2
• /
• pp.236-241
• /
• 2010

The purpose of this study was to investigate the mechanism of ethanol extract of Agrimonia pilosa Ledeb. (EAP)-reduced melanogenesis and diphenyl-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity. Agrimonia pilosa Ledeb., a perennial herbaceous plant, has been used as an antihemorrhagic, anthelminntic, and antiinflammatory agents in Chinese herbal medicine. In the present study, we observed that melanin synthesis and tyrosinase activity of B16F10 cells were significantly decreased by EAP. However, EAP could not suppress tyrosinase activity in the cell-free system, whereas kojic acid directly inhibited tyrosinase activity. Furthermore, EAP decreased the protein expression of tyrosinase, tyrosinase-related prootein 1 (TRP-1), and tyrosinase-related prootein 2 (TRP-2). EAP scavenged DPPH radical up to 41% with 100 ${\mu}g/m{\ell}$ concentration. These results suggest that the hypopigmentary effect of EPA was due to regulation of tyrosinase protein.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
• /
• v.34 no.6
• /
• pp.510-516
• /
• 2021

Whitening agents derived from natural sources which do not have side effects are sought after. Schizophragma hydrangeoides is an edible plant that grows wild on Jeju Island. We aimed to determine whether S. hydrangeoides extracts show anti-melanogenic activity. Here, we found that 70% ethanol extracts of S. hydrangeoides leaf suppressed α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone-induced melanogenesis in B16F10 mouse melanoma cells. This activity of anti-melanogenesis in B16F10 cells were investigated by determining melanin content and tyrosinase activity, and by performing western blotting. The 70% ethanol extract downregulated tyrosinase and tyrosinase-related protein 1. In addition, the n-hexane fraction of S. hydrangeoides leaf (HFSH) exhibited significant anti-melanogenic activity among the various solvent fractions tested without reducing the viability of B16F10 cells. Taken together, these results indicate that extracts from S. hydrangeoides leaf can influence cellular processes via modulation of tyrosinase activity. Hence, S. hydrangeoides can be used as a whitening agent in the cosmetic industry and as a therapeutic agent for treating hyperpigmentation disorders in the clinic.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
• /
• v.64 no.4
• /
• pp.323-331
• /
• 2021

Lincomycin is a lincosamide antibiotic isolated from the actinomycete Streptomyces lincolnensis. Moreover, it has been found to be effective against infections caused by Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, and Bacteroides fragillis. To identify the melanin-inducing properties of lincomycin, we used B16F10 melanoma cells in this study. The melanin content and intracellular tyrosinase activity in the cells were increased by lincomycin, without any cytotoxicity. Western blot analysis indicated that the protein expressions of tyrosinase, tyrosinase related protein 1 (TRP1) and TRP2 increased after lincomycin treatment. In addition, lincomycin enhanced the expression of master transcription regulator of melanogenesis, a microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF). Lincomycin also increased the phosphorylation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and decreased the AKT phosphorylation. Moreover, the activation of tyrosinase activity by lincomycin was inhibited by the treatment with SB203580, which is p38 inhibitor. Furthermore, we also found that lincomycin-induced tyrosinase expression was reduced by H-89, a specific protein kinase A (PKA) inhibitor. These results indicate that lincomycin stimulate melanogenesis via MITF activation via p38 MAPK, AKT, and PKA signal pathways. Thus, lincomycin can potentially be used for treatment of hypopigmentation disorders.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
• /
• v.51 no.1
• /
• pp.52-57
• /
• 2019

The objective of this study was to evaluate the anti-melanogenic effects of crude polysaccharide fractions from Annona muricata L. (ALP) in 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine (IBMX) stimulating hormone-induced mouse B16F10 melanoma cells. The inhibitory effect of ALP on tyrosinase activity was approximately $33.88{\pm}0.79%$ at 5 mg/mL. Additionally, the B16F10 cellular tyrosinase and melanin synthesis inhibition activities by ALP were $54.21{\pm}4.76$ and $56.74{\pm}6.97%$ at $250{\mu}g/mL$, respectively. Similarly, whitening-related protein tyrosinase, tyrosinase-related protein 1 (TRP-1) and TRP-2, and microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF) were reduced by ALP treatment. These results indicated that ALP could be used as a functional cosmetic ingredient after confirming its whitening activity related to melanin content.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
• /
• v.28 no.12
• /
• pp.2121-2132
• /
• 2018

Abnormal melanin synthesis results in several hyperpigmentary disorders such as freckles, melanoderma, age spots, and other related conditions. In this study, we investigated the anti-melanogenic effects of an extract from the microalgae Chlamydomonas reinhardtii (CE) and potential mechanisms responsible for its inhibitory effect in B16F10, normal human epidermal melanocyte cells, and human skin-equivalent models. The CE extract showed significant dose-dependent inhibitory effects on ${\alpha}$-melanocyte-stimulating, hormone-induced melanin synthesis in cells. Additionally, the CE extract exhibited suppressive effects on the mRNA and protein expression of microphthalmia-associated transcription factor, tyrosinase, tyrosinase-related protein-1, and tyrosinase-related protein-2. The CE extract also inhibited the phosphorylation of protein kinase A and extracellular signal-related kinase, which function as upstream regulators of melanogenesis. Using a three-dimensional, reconstructed pigmented epidermis model, the CE-mediated, anti-pigmentation effects were confirmed by Fontana-Masson staining and melanin content assays. Taken together, CE extract can be used as an anti-pigmentation agent.

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
• /
• v.38 no.5
• /
• pp.1229-1240
• /
• 2021

Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba L.) seeds, called 'Baekqwa', were extracted from 70% ethanol to investigate the whitening effect and to confirm the application potential as a cosmetic material. Ginkgo seed ethanol extracts (GBE) were treated with B16F10 melanoma cells, and melanin contents and tyrosinase, which is the main enzyme concerning the synthesis process of melanin, inhibitory activity were confirmed. As a result, there were inhibited in a concentration-dependent manner, and GBE also significantly reduced the protein expression and mRNA levels of tyrosinase, tyrosinase-related protein-1, -2 (TRP-1, -2), and their upstream transcription factor, microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF). These results suggest that GBE could be used as an effective whitening agent that has an inhibitory effect on melanin production by regulating the expression and degradation of MITF in melanocytes.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
• /
• v.35 no.6
• /
• pp.704-712
• /
• 2022

Research on whitening materials using natural alternatives is actively being conducted. The aim of this study was to investigate the in vitro inhibitory effects of Ranunculus chinensis Bunge (RCB) on melanogenesis and associated enzymes, such as tyrosinase, tyrosinase-related protein (TRP)-1, and TRP-2 in B16F10 murine melanoma cells. We found that RCB extract significantly attenuated melanin synthesis and reduced the activity of intracellular tyrosinase, a rate-limiting melanogenic enzyme. Western blot analysis showed that RCB extract decreased the protein expression of tyrosinase and TRP-1. In addition, it significantly decreased the expression of microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF), a key regulator of melanogenesis. Extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) activation has been reported to be involved in the inhibition of melanogenesis. Thus, we investigated whether the hypopigmentary effects of RCB extract were related to the activation of ERK. RCB extract induced ERK phosphorylation in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, it markedly inhibited body pigmentation in a zebrafish model. Our results suggest that RCB extract inhibits melanogenesis by activating ERK pathway-mediated suppression of MITF and its downstream target genes, including tyrosinase. Therefore, RCB extract can be used as a whitening agent in the development of functional cosmetics.

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