• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.389-400
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• 2013

Korean Red Ginseng (KRG) has been reported to exert anticancer, anti-oxidant, and anti-inflammatory effects. However, there has been no report on the effect of KRG on skin pigmentation. In this study, we investigated the inhibitory effect of KRG on melanocyte proliferation. KRG extract (KRGE) at different concentrations had no effect on melanin synthesis in melan-A melanocytes. Saponin of KRG (SKRG) inhibited melanin content to 80% of the control at 100 ppm. Keratinocyte-derived factors induced by UV-irradiation were reported to stimulate melanogenesis, differentiation, proliferation, and dendrite formation. In this study, treatment of melan-A melanocytes with conditioned media from UV-irradiated SP-1 keratinocytes increased melanocyte proliferation. When UV-irradiated SP-1 keratinocytes were treated with KRGE or SKRG, the increase of melanocyte proliferation by the conditioned media was blocked. Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) was produced and released from UV-irradiated keratinocytes. This factor has been reported to be involved in regulating the proliferation and differentiation of epidermal melanocytes. In this study, GM-CSF was significantly increased in SP-1 keratinocytes by UVB irradiation ($30mJ/cm^2$), and the proliferation of melan-A melanocytes increased significantly by GM-CSF treatment. In addition, the proliferative effect of keratinocyte-conditioned media on melan-A melanocytes was blocked by anti-GM-CSF treatment. KRGE or SKRG treatment decreased the expression of GM-CSF in SP-1 keratinocytes induced by UVB irradiation. These results demonstrate that UV irradiation induced GM-CSF expression in keratinocytes and KRGE or SKRG inhibited its expression. Therefore, KRG could be a good candidate for regulating UV-induced melanocyte proliferation.

• Journal of Photoscience
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.433-435
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• 2002

In the present study, we investigated the actions of sphingosine-I-phosphate (SPP) in Mel-Ab melanocytes. We observed the cytoprotective effect of SPP on UVB-induced cell death. Following exposure of cells to UVB, a significant protective effect was seen in cultures pretreated with SPP. Since SPP is well known as a mitogenic agent, it is possible that the mitogenic effect of SPP may contribute to cell survival. Surprisingly, we found that SPP inhibited DNA-synthesis significantly. We were next interested in the regulation of the extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase (ERK) and Akt pathways by SPP. We clearly observed that SPP potently stimulated the phosphorylation of both ERK and Akt against UVB-induced cell death. Based on these results, we conclude that SPP may show its cytoprotective effect through ERK and Akt activation.

• Journal of Korean Dental Science
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.43-47
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• 2010

Nevus of Ota is a hamartoma of dermal melanocytes. Clinically, Nevus of Ota is manifested as blue or gray patch on the face; such condition is congenital or acquired and is within the distribution of branches of the trigeminal nerve. The nevus can be unilateral or bilateral. In addition to skin, it may involve ocular and oral mucosal surfaces. The case of an 18-year old female with unilateral bluish black macule on the right side of the face since birth is presented. She also had a bluish patch on the right shoulder at birth, which disappeared when she turned 10 years. The pathogenesis of Nevus is unknown, and effective treatment has been realized with pigment-specific lasers.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.111-118
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• 2001

A novel melanogenic inhibitory compound, Phytoclear-EL1 (5,10-diacetyl-3-benzoyllathyrol) was isolated from Euphorbiae lathyridis. The effects of EL1 on culture normal human melanocytes (NHM) were assessed. EL1 reduced the melanin synthesis of NHM by 40% at a concentration of 2 $\square$g/ml without any apparent cytotoxicity. We also have found that the treatment of the cells with EL1 decreased the tyrosinase activity by 29% in situ. To elucidate the action mechanism of EL1, we investigated the changes in mRNA levels of tyrosinase, TRP-1 and TRP-2 using RT-PCR technique. AS a result, the mRNA levels of tyrosinase, TRP-1 and TRP-2 were markedly reduced by EL1 treatment. These results suggest that Phytoclear-EL1 is a novel whitening agent that is effective in human melanocytes.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.192-194
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• 2008

In our previous study, ethylacetate fraction of white ginseng (root of Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer) extract inhibited mushroom tyrosinase activity and melanin production in melanocytes. This study examined its effects on the expression of melanin biosynthesis-related enzymes to explore the depigmenting pathway. Moreover, depigmenting effect on animal skin was examined using UV-B induced hyperpigmented skin of brown guinea pigs. The ethylacetate fraction of the white ginseng extract exhibited depigmenting activity in the skin of brown guinea pig without visible edema. In addition, this fraction reduced tyrosinase expression in melanocytes. The results suggested that ethylacetate fraction of white ginseng extract might be used as skin depigmenting material by inhibition of tyrosinase activity and expression.

• Proceedings of the PSK Conference
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• 2002.10a
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• pp.271.1-271.1
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• 2002

Sphingolipids have been emerged as bioactive lipid modulators that mediate a variety of cell functions. However. the effects of sphingolipids on the cell growth and survival of melanocytes are not yet known. In the present study, we investigated the actions of sphingolipids in Mel-Ab melanocytes. We observed the cytoprotective effect of sphingosine-1-phosphate (SPP) on UVB-induced cell death. (omitted)

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.15-26
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• 2021

Peptides are short chain of amino acids linked by peptide bonds. They are widely used as effective and biocompatible active ingredients in cosmetic industry. In this study, we developed novel peptide mixture and identified its anti-pigmentation effect on melanocytes and keratinocytes. Our results revealed that peptide mixture inhibited melanosome biogenesis through the regulation of microphthalmia-associated transcription factor, a key factor of melanogenesis in melanocytes. And we observed that peptide mixture inhibited melanosome uptake through the reduction of protease-activated receptor 2, a phagocytosis-related receptor in keratinocytes. Furthermore, peptide mixture activated autophagy system resulting in degradation of transferred melanosomes in keratinocytes. The anti-pigmentation effect of multi-targeting peptide mixture was assessed in a human skin equivalent model (MelanoDerm). Melanin contents in epidermal layer were significantly decreased by topical treatment of peptide mixture, suggesting that it can be applied as a novel cosmetics material having a whitening function.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.45 no.3
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• pp.363-370
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• 2021

As the largest organ in our body, the skin acts as a barrier against external stress and damages. There are various cell types of skin, such as keratinocytes, melanocytes, fibroblasts, and skin stem cells. Korean ginseng, which is one of the biggest distributions of ginseng worldwide, is processed into different products, such as functional food, cosmetics, and medical supplies. This review aims to introduce the functional role of Korean ginseng on different dermal cell types, including the impact of Korean ginseng in anti-photodamaging, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative, anti-melanogenic, and wound healing activities, etc. We propose that this information could form the basis of future research of ginseng-derived components in skin health.

• Proceedings of the SCSK Conference
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• 2003.09a
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• pp.520-539
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• 2003

By using sequentially efficacy tests based on tyrosinase, the key enzyme of melanogenesis, then a cell line of melanocytes cultured in vitro, we have been able to detect the whitening potential of a plant extract and then to develop a new whitening Active Ingredient whose the whitening potential was confirmed on cultured melanocytes. Through a phytochemical approach, it seems that the whitening potential could be due to the "tannin" fraction of plant extract. A complementary work is planned to explain more precisely which fractions are responsible for the whitening potential and a clinical test is in progress on 30 Asian skin type volunteers to show the whitening efficacy on human volunteers.

• Proceedings of the PSK Conference
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• 2001.10a
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• pp.157.1-157.1
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• 2001