• Journal of Photoscience
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.205-208
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• 2002

Nitric oxide (NO) is a newly described transmitter involved with cell to cell communication that is generated in biologic tissues by specific types of nitric oxide synthase (NOS), which metabolize L-arginine and molecular oxygen to citrulline and nitric oxide. In the skin. NO has been reported to play an important role in such diseases as psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, and contact dermatitis, as well as act as an important modulator in UVB-induced erythema. Ultraviolet B irradiation to the skin evokes an increase in NO production in the epidermis through two pathways; induction of inducible NOS, mediated by inflammatory cytokines, and elevation of constitutive neuronal NOS activity. In a cell culture system, it has been demonstrated that NO functions as a melanogen after being produced in keratinocytes in response to UVB-irradiation. NO-stimulated melanogenesis in melanocytes is mediated by the cGMP/PKG pathway. In this study, up-regulation of tyrosinase gene expression by NO-stimulation and the involvement of NO in UVB-induced pigmentation were examined. In NO-induced melanogenesis, protein synthesis and tyrosinase activity increased along with an up-regulation of tyrosinase gene expression. In an animal model, UVB-induced pigmentation in skin was suppressed by sequential daily treatments with a specific inhibitor of NOS. Thus, NO plays an important role in UVB-induced pigmentation, where its function as a melanogen is considered to be one of the mechanisms. Together with its role in the development of erythema, NO contributes to the total protective response of skin against UVB-irradiation.

• Proceedings of the SCSK Conference
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• 2003.09a
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• pp.733-740
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• 2003

To find a new substance with superior melanogenesis inhibitory activity, the bioactivities of alkyl-3,4-dihydroxy-5-substituted benzoate (A) and N-alkyl-3,4-dihydroxy-5-substituted benzamide (B) derivatives as substrate of tyrosinase were measured in mouse melanoma cells. And the bioactivities analyzed using comparative molecular similarity indices analysis (CoMSIA). From the CoMSIA model, when cross-validation value (q$^2$) is 0.713 at four components, the pearson correlation coefficient ($r^2$) is 0.900. Unknown compounds were predicted, using QSAR analyzed results from the CoMSIA methods. Excellent agreement was obtained between the measured and the predicted bioactivities of unknown compounds. As the results of prediction from CoMSIA, we could conclude that the bioactivities were increased from pl$_{50}$=3.18-4.80 to above 5.17 by creation of 6-methylheptyl, n-pentylphenyl and 2-hydroxypentylphenyl group etc,.,.

• Mycobiology
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• v.47 no.1
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• pp.112-119
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• 2019

Compounds from Lingzhi has been demonstrated the ability for inhibiting tyrosinase (a key enzyme in melanogenesis) activity. In this study, we investigated the anti-melanogenic activity from the submerged mycelial culture of Ganoderma weberianum and elucidated the skin lightening mechanism by B16-F10 murine melanoma cells. From the cellular context, several fractionated mycelium samples exhibited anti-melanogenic activity by reducing more than 40% extracellular melanin content of B16-F10 melanoma cells. In particular, the fractionated chloroform extract (CF-F3) inhibited both secreted and intracellular melanin with the lowest dosage (25 ppm). Further analysis demonstrated that CF-F3 inhibited cellular tyrosinase activity without altering its protein expression. Taken together, our study has demonstrated that the chemical extracts from submerged mycelial culture of G. weberianum have the potential to serve as an alternative anti-melanogenic agent.

• Proceedings of the PSK Conference
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• 2003.10b
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• pp.90.1-90.1
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• 2003

This study shows that sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) significantly inhibits melanin synthesis in a concentration-dependent manner, and that the activity of tyrosinase was also reduced in S1P-treated cells. In contrast, a specific extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase (ERK) pathway inhibitor, PD98059 increased tyrosinase activity and melanin production, and PD98059 restored the reduced tyrosinase activity and pigmentation induced by SIP. We also found that S1P induces the sustained activation of ERK and the subsequent degradation of microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF), which plays a key role in melanogenesis. (omitted)

• Proceedings of the Plant Resources Society of Korea Conference
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• 2011.10a
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• pp.16-16
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• 2011

Melanogenesis is a well-known physiological response of human skin that may occur because of exposure to ultraviolet light, for genetic reasons, or due to other causes. In our effectors to find new skin lightening agents, acanthoic acid (AA) was investigated for its ability to inhibit melanogenesis. The effects of AA isolated from A.koreanumun the expression of $\alpha$-MSH-induced melanogenic factors (tyrosinase, tyrosinase related protein (TRP)-1, TRP-2 and MITF (microphthalmla-associated transcriptional factor)) were investigated in murine B16F10 melanoma cells. The results indicate that AA was an effective inhibitor of melanogenesis in B16F10 cells. To elucidate the mechanism of the effect of AA on melanogenesis, we performed Western blotting for melanogenic proteins. AA inhibited melanogenic factors (tyrosinase, TRP-1, TRP-2) expressions. In this study, we also confirmed that AA decreased the protein level of MITF proteins, which would lead to a decrease of tyrosinase and related genes in B16F10 melanoma cells. In order to apply AA to the human skin, the cytotoxic effects of the AA were determined by MTT assays using human keratinocyte HaCaT cells. Based on these results, we suggest that AA be considered possible anti-melanogenic agent and might be effective against hyperpigmentation disorders for the topical application.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.3-12
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• 2018

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Sageretia thea is traditionally used as a medicinal herb to treat various diseases, including skin disorders, in China and Korea. This study evaluated the inhibitory effect of Sageretia thea fruit on melanogenesis and its underlying mechanisms in B16F10 mouse melanoma cells. The active chemical compounds in anti-melanogenesis were determined in Sageretia thea. MATERIALS/METHODS: Solvent fractions from the crude extract were investigated for anti-melanogenic activities. These activities and the mechanism of anti-melanogenesis in B16F10 cells were examined by determining melanin content and tyrosinase activity, and by performing western blotting. RESULTS: The n-hexane fraction of Sageretia thea fruit (HFSF) exhibited significant anti-melanogenic activity among the various solvent fractions without reducing viability of B16F10 cells. The HFSF suppressed the expression of tyrosinase and tyrosinase-related protein 1 (TRP1). The reduction of microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF) expression by the HFSF was mediated by the Akt/glycogen synthase kinase 3 beta ($GSK3{\beta}$) signaling pathway, which promotes the reduction of ${\beta}-catenin$. Treatment with the $GSK3{\beta}$ inhibitor 6-bromoindirubin-3'-oxime (BIO) restored HFSF-induced inhibition of MITF expression. The HFSF bioactive constituents responsible for anti-melanogenic activity were identified by bioassay-guided fractionation and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis as methyl linoleate and methyl linolenate. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that HFSF and its constituents, methyl linoleate and methyl linolenate, could be used as whitening agents in cosmetics and have potential for treating hyperpigmentation disorders in the clinic.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.602-607
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• 2017

Background: Panax ginseng is a traditional herb used for medicinal purposes in eastern Asia. P. ginseng contains various ginsenosides with pharmacological effects. In this study, floralginsenoside A (FGA), ginsenoside Rd (GRD), and ginsenoside Re (GRE) were purified from P. ginseng berry. Methods: Chemical structures of FGA, GRD, and GRE were determined based on spectroscopic methods, including fast atom bombardment mass spectroscopy, ID-nuclear magnetic resonance, and infrared spectroscopy. Inhibitory activities of these compounds on melanogenesis were studied by measuring the expression of protein and melanin content in the melan-a cell line. This inhibitory activity was confirmed by observing pigmentation and tyrosinase activities of zebrafish. Results: GRD, GRE, and FGA were not cytotoxic at concentrations less than $20{\mu}M$, $80{\mu}M$, and $160{\mu}M$ in melan-a cells, respectively. GRD, GRE, and FGA inhibited melanin biosynthesis in melan-a cells by 15.2%, 22.9%, and 23.9% at $20{\mu}M$, $80{\mu}M$, and $160{\mu}M$, respectively. FGA was observed to display the most potent inhibitory effect. In addition, FGA decreased microphthalmia-associated transcription factor protein expression in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, FGA induced extracellular signal-regulated kinase phosphorylation level in melan-a cells. In addition, melanin pigment content and tyrosinase activity in zebrafish treated with FGA at $160{\mu}M$ were reduced. Conclusion: FGA showed the most potent inhibition of melanogenesis in both in vitro and in vivo studies. This study suggests that FGA purified from P. ginseng may be an effective melanogenesis inhibitor.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.247-254
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• 2012

Ramalin (${\gamma}$-glutamyl-N'-(2-hydroxyphenyl)hydrazide) isolated from the Antarctic lichen Ramalina terebrata has been shown to have strong antioxidant activities in the previous study. To investigate additional activities of ramalin, we studied the effects of ramalin on melanogenesis in melan-a cells, a non-tumorigenic melanocyte cell line. At a non-cytotoxic concentration, ramalin dramatically decreased melanin synthesis in melan-a cells in a dose-dependent manner, which was more potent than arbutin, a well-known tyrosinase inhibitor. Ramalin inhibited cell-free tyrosinase activity directly and intracellular tyrosinase activity as well. Its inhibitory mechanisms on melanin production were further assessed, and we found that ramalin significantly decreased the protein levels of melanogenic enzymes such as tyrosinase, tyrosinase-related protein 1 (TRP-1), and tyrosinase-related protein 2 (TRP-2). However, the mRNA levels of these enzymes were not altered. In a clinical study, application of 0.2 % ramalin on human skin significantly improved the degree of skin brightness after 3 weeks. In conclusion, ramalin has strong anti-melanogenic activity that is exerted both by the direct inhibition of tyrosinase activity and by down-regulation of melanogenic proteins. Furthermore, ramalin showed skin brightening effect in a clinical study. Collectively, these results suggest that ramalin may be a useful inhibitor for melanogenesis in skin.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.44 no.7
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• pp.993-999
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• 2015

For the purpose of investigating the in vitro antidiabetic activity of a medicinal herb and herb mixture extracts prepared through traditional antidiabetic prescription, this study examined ${\alpha}$-glucosidase inhibitory activity. Tyrosinase, a type I membrane glycoprotein, is synthesized and glycosylated in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and Golgi. The enzyme is subsequently transported to melanosomes, where it participates in melanogenesis. Previous studies showed that disruption of early ER N-glycan processing by an ${\alpha}$-glucosidase inhibitor suppresses tyrosinase enzymatic activity and melanogenesis. According to the results, most oriental medicinal herbal extracts were stronger than acarbose and N-butyldeoxynojirimycin, known as an ${\alpha}$-glucosidase inhibitor. Interestingly, ethyl acetate layer of enzyme hydrolyzed Cheongsimyeonjaeum had an inhibitory effect on melanin synthesis in B16F1 cells, although it did not inhibit tyrosinase activity directly. Together, ${\alpha}$-glucosidase inhibition activity could be used to evaluate anti-melanogenesis, although cross-checking with melanin inhibitory assay is recommended.

• Proceedings of the PSK Conference
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• 2002.10a
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• pp.298.1-298.1
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• 2002

Tyrosinase (monophenol. 3.4-${\beta}$-dihydroxyphenylalanin oxygen oxidoreductase. EC 1.14.18.1 J. which plays a pivotal role in melanogenesis. It is single chain glycoprotein catalyzing the hydroxylation of tyrosine to ${\beta$\mid$$-3.4-dihydroxyphenylalanin (DOPA) and the oxidation of DOPA to DOPA quinone. To investigate whitening effect of chitosan oligosaccharide. we obtained chitosan oligosaccharide ［(glucosamine)2-6］ by NaNO2 oxidation and measured the effect of chitosan oligosaccharide on tyrosinase activity. Chitosan oligosaccharide dose-dependently inhibited tyrosinase (2 unit) activity and inhibited by 18.8% at dose of 100${\mu}$g/ml. Vitamin C. arbutin and kojic acid that are well known to be inhibitor of melanin production dose-dependently inhibited tyrosinase (2unit) activity. These results suggest that chitosan oligosaccharide may be used as inhibitor of melanin production in melanocyte. which will be further studied.