• Molecules and Cells
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.163-170
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• 2015

Lipoteichoic acid (LTA) is a major component of the cell wall of Gram-positive bacteria. Its effects on living organisms are different from those of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) found in Gram-negative bacteria. LTA contributes to immune regulatory effects including anti-aging. In this study, we showed that LTA isolated from Lactobacillus plantarum (pLTA) inhibited melanogenesis in B16F10 mouse melanoma cells. pLTA reduced the cellular activity of tyrosinase and the expression of tyrosinase family members in a dose-dependent manner. The expression of microphthalmia- associated transcription factor (MITF), a key factor in the synthesis of melanin, was also decreased by pLTA. Further, we showed that pLTA activated melanogenesis signaling, such as extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinse (PI3K)/AKT. In addition, the expression of heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein A1 (hnRNP A1) and HuR, which are important RNA-binding proteins (RBPs), was reduced. pLTA likely degrades MITF via regulation of melanogenic signaling and RNA stability of melanogenic proteins, resulting in the reduction of melanin. Thus, our data suggest that pLTA has therapeutic potential for treating hyperpigmentation disorders and can also be used as a cosmetic whitening agent.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.15 no.6
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• pp.434-436
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• 2007

In the previous study, we reported the inhibitory effects of Rodgersia podophylla root extract on tyrosinase activity and melanin production in melan-a cells. However, mechanism of the inhibitory activity and in vivo assay were not yet examined. This study performed the examination of the effects of Rodgersia podophylla root extract on protein expression and in vivo depigmenting activity using melan-a cells and brown guinea pigs. As the results of western immunoblotting analysis, treatment of Rodgersia podophylla root extract reduced tyrosinase expression rates in 10 and 100 ppm concentrations, dose dependently. Moreover, Rodgersia podophylla root extract exhibited depigmenting activity on UV-B induced hyperpigmentation in brown guinea pig skin. These results suggested that Rodgersia podophylla root extract could act as whitening agent for the skin via not only direct tyrosinase activity inhibition but also reducing of tyrosinase expression.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.466-472
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• 2023

Exon skipping is an efficient technique to inhibit specific gene expression induced by a short-sequence peptide nucleic acid (PNA). To date, there has been no study on the effects of PNA on skin pigmentation. In melanocytes, the tripartite complex is responsible for the transport of mature melanosomes from the nucleus to the dendrites. The tripartite complex is composed of Rab27a, Mlph (Melanophilin), and Myosin Va. Defects in the protein Mlph, a melanosome transport-related protein, are known to cause hypopigmentation. Our study shows that Olipass peptide nucleic acid (OPNA), a cell membrane-permeable PNA, targets exon skipping in the Mlph SHD domain, which is involved in Rab27a binding. Our findings demonstrate that OPNA induced exon skipping in melan-a cells, resulting in shortened Mlph mRNA, reduced Mlph protein levels, and melanosome aggregation, as observed by microscopy. Therefore, OPNA inhibits the expression of Mlph by inducing exon skipping within the gene. These results suggest that OPNA, which targets Mlph, may be a potential new whitening agent to inhibit melanosome movement.

• Journal of Marine Bioscience and Biotechnology
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.59-66
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• 2023

Dictyopteris divaricata, a type of marine brown algae, has been studied for its various biological properties, including anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, and whitening effects. However, its potential antiobesity effects have not been extensively explored. This study aimed to examine the impact of D. divaricata ethanol extract (DDE) on adipocyte differentiation and adipogenesis using 3T3-L1 preadipocytes. Our results showed that when 3T3-L1 preadipocytes were treated with noncytotoxic concentrations of DDE there was a concentration-dependent decrease in fat accumulation rate and triglycerid production compared with the control. Furthermore, DDE significantly reduced the expression of transcription factors (PPARγ, C/EBPα, and SREBP-1) and fatty acid transport protein (FABP4), which are crucial for 3T3-L1 preadipocyte differentiation. These findings suggest that DDE may exhibit antiobesity effects by suppressing the expression of lipogenic transcription factors and fatty acid transport proteins. Therefore, DDE holds potential as a therapeutic agent for obesity.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.40 no.8
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• pp.1086-1091
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• 2011

Anti-oxidative activity and tyrosinase inhibitory activity of various ethanol extracts of Polygoni multiflori radix (PMR) and Cynanchi wilfordii radix (CWR) were compared to identify an anti-oxidant and whitening agent source from nature. We conducted an investigation into the anti-oxidant activities of PMR and CWR ethanol extracts by measuring total polyphenol content, total flavonoid content, and ABTS radical capacity. The total polyphenol contents of PMR and CWR were 17.31${\pm}$0.54 mg GA/eq g, and 2.75${\pm}$0.22 mg GA/eq g, respectively. The total flavonoid contents of PMR and CWR were 6.38${\pm}$0.39 mg naringine/eq g, and 1.34${\pm}$0.09 mg naringine/eq g, respectively. The 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) radical decolorization of PMR and CWR were 96.89${\pm}$0.21% at 1 mg/mL and 93.49${\pm}$0.76% at 50 mg/mL. Melanoma cells were cultured with the PMR and CWR ethanol extracts for 48 hr, and total melanin content as a final product and the activity of tyrosinase, a key enzyme, in melanogenesis, were estimated. The PMR and CWR ethanol extracts increased melanin content and tyrosinase activity in a dose-dependent manner. These results suggest that PMR and CWR ethanol extracts could be useful as a skin whitening agent.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.243-250
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• 2013

Pyracantha is a genus of thorny evergreen large shrubs in the family of Rosaceae, with common names Firethorn or Pyracantha. It's extract has also been used in cosmetics as a skin-whitening agent and functioning through tyrosinase inhibition. Recent studies have shown that pyracantha extract possesses antioxidant activities and may significantly improve lipoprotein metabolism in rats. Although the mode of action of Pyracantha extract is not fully understood, a strong relationship was observed between antioxidant and apoptosis in some types of cells. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluated the effect of pyracantha extract on blastocysts formation and their quality of the porcine parthenogenetic embryos. After parthenogenetic activation by chemicals, presumptive porcine parthenogenetic embryos were cultured in PZM-3 medium supplemented with extracts of pyracantha leaf, stalk and root for 6 day (1, 5 and $10{\mu}g/ml$, respectively). In our results, the frequency of blastocyst formation in pyracantha root extract ($5{\mu}g/ml$) treated group had increased that of other groups. Furthermore, blastocysts derived from pyracantha root extract ($5{\mu}g/ml$) treated group had increased the total cell numbers and reduced apoptotic index. Blastocyst development was significantly improved in the pyracantha root extract ($5{\mu}g/ml$) treated group when compared with the $H_2O_2$ treated group (p<0.05). Subsequent evaluation of the intracellular levels of ROS in pyracantha root extract ($5{\mu}g/ml$) treated groups under $H_2O_2$ induced oxidative stress were decreased (p<0.05). In conclusion, our results indicate that treatment of pyracantha root extract may improve in vitro development of porcine parthenogenetic embryos through its antioxidative and antiapoptotic effects.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.43 no.5
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• pp.705-711
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• 2014

In order to develop a skin-whitening agent, melanin contents and intracellular tyrosinase activity were determined by western blotting. Ethyl acetate fractions of 80% ethanol extracts from lily (Lilium Oriental Hybrid 'Siberia') bulbs (R-EA) inhibited melanin synthesis in a dose-dependent manner in ${\alpha}$-melanocyte stimulating hormone (${\alpha}$-MSH)-treated B16/F10 murine melanoma cells. Intracellular tyrosinase activity and melanin contents were suppressed by 45% and 74%, respectively, in response to treatment with $100{\mu}g/mL$ of R-EA. Examination of protein expression associated with ${\alpha}$-MSH-induced melanogenesis showed that tyrosinase related protein (TRP)-1 was inhibited more strongly than tyrosinase, and these results were correlated with stronger inhibition of melanin synthesis than intracellular tyrosinase activity. Taken together, R-EA containing p-coumaric acid and resveratrol could be used as a hypopigmentation agent through suppression of sustained extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) activation via melanogenic induction.

• Journal of dental hygiene science
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.165-173
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• 2013

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the surface change after 15% carbamide peroxide home bleaching to various restorative materials (composite resin [CR], resin modified glass ionomer [RMGI] and glass ionomer [GI]) and to observe the effect of surface condition of the materials on re-staining. Three esthetic restorative materials (Filtek Z250, 3M, USA; Fuji II LC, GC, Japan; Fuji II, GC, Japan) were used in this study. Twenty specimens per material group were made and divided into two groups (bleached and control). The specimens were immersed in coffee after applying bleaching agent. The color change and surface roughness were measured before and after bleaching and after immersion in coffee. The data were analyzed with SPSS 18.0. The results were as follows: 1. The color of all experiment groups was significantly changed after bleaching (p<0.05). RMGI was the greatest value of ${\Delta}E^*$ and ${\Delta}L^*$. GI and CR groups were in ordering (p<0.05). The ${\Delta}a^*$ value was decreased GI, RMGI and CR. RMGI was only significantly decreased in ${\Delta}b^*$ value (p<0.05). 2. The surface roughness before and after bleaching was significantly different on CR, RMGI and GI (p<0.05). 3. After staining with coffee, the value of ${\Delta}E^*$ was increased in GI, RMGI and CR, furthermore GI and RMGI showed significant difference in the bleaching groups (p<0.05). The ${\Delta}L^*$ value of GI and RMGI was significantly decreased. 4. The change of surface roughness after staining was not significantly different in all groups (p>0.05). The maintenance of color stability in esthetic restorations is one of the most important properties. Tooth whitening is for the aesthetic. Therefore, dental professionals should notice to patients about re-staining after tooth whitening. They should give an instruction that how to prevent and which kinds of agents could be stained.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.93-99
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• 2012

In this study, the evaluation of antioxidative activity and componential analysis of C. obtusa leaf extracts was carried out. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging activities ($OSC_{50}$) of C. obtusa leaf extracts on ROS generated in $Fe^{3+}-EDTA/H_2O_2$ system were investigated using the luminol-dependent chemiluminescence assay. The ethyl acetate fraction ($OSC_{50}$; 0.22 ${\mu}g/mL$) and aglycone fraction of C. obtusa leaf extracts (0.20 ${\mu}g/mL$) showed about 7 times more prominent ROS scavenging activity than L-ascorbic acid (1.50 ${\mu}g/mL$). The cellular protective effects of fractions obtained from C. obtusa leaf extracts on the rose-bengal sensitized photohemolysis of human erythrocytes were investigated. The ethyl acetate fraction and aglycone fraction of C. obtusa leaf extracts showed the cellular protective effects in a concentration dependent manner (5~25 ${\mu}g/mL$). The inhibitory effect ($IC_{50}$) of ethyl acetate fraction and aglycone fraction on tyrosinase exhibited 74.43 and 53.80 ${\mu}g/mL$, repectively. The aglycone fraction showed four times higher tyrosinase inhibitory effect than arbutin (226.88 ${\mu}g/mL$), known as a whitening agent. The aglycone fraction of C. obtusa leaf extracts showed three bands in TLC chromatogram and three peaks in HPLC chromatogram (360 nm). Three compounds were identified as taxifolin, quercetin and kaempferol. These results indicate that the fractions of C. obtusa leaf extracts can function as antioxidants in biological systems, particularly skin exposed to UV radiation by scavenging $^1O_2$ and other ROS, and protect cellular membranes against reactive oxygen species. The fractions of C. obtusa leaf extracts can be applicable to new functional cosmetics for antioxidan and whitening effects.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.250-260
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• 2012

In the present study, the antioxidative and antibacterial activities of Artemisia princeps Pampanini (A. princeps Pamp.) extract were investigated. The ethyl acetate fraction of A. princeps Pamp. showed the most prominent free radical (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl, DPPH) scavenging activity ($FSC_{50}=12.27{\mu}g/mL$). Reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging activities ($OSC_{50}$) of A. princeps Pamp. extract on $Fe^{3+}-EDTA/H_2O_2$ systems were investigated using a luminol-dependent chemiluminescence assay. The ethyl acetate fraction of the extract ($OSC_{50}=0.33{\mu}g/mL$) had a 5 times greater ROS scavenging activity than L-ascorbic acid ($1.50{\mu}g/mL$), known as a water soluble antioxidant. The cellular protective effects of fractions of A. princeps Pamp. on the rose-bengal sensitized photohemolysis of human erythrocytes were examined. The aglycone fraction of extracts suppressed photohemolysis in a concentration dependent manner. The inhibitory effects of A. princeps Pamp. extract on tyrosinase were investigated to assess their whitening efficiency. The ethyl acetate fraction demonstrated a 7 times higher tyrosinase inhibitory effect ($IC_{50}=29.20{\mu}g/mL$) than albutin, known as a whitening agent. The antibacterial activity of ethyl acetate fractions against various normal skin flora were measured. The results showed that the antibacterial activity of the fraction was the highest on Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, and Propionibacterium acnes. Antioxidant substances were isolated and purified from the ethyl acetate fractions. Eupatilin and jaceosidin were identified. These results indicate that the extract/fractions of A. princeps Pamp. can function as antioxidant and/or antibacterial agents for the skin.