• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.46 no.3
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• pp.320-326
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• 2017

This study investigated the water extracts of fallen pear (FPWE) on tyrosinase activity and melanogenesis. In the present study, we examined the effects of FPWE on mushroom tyrosinase activity in vitro, B16F10 melanoma cell tyrosinase activity, melanin contents, and expression of melanogenic enzyme proteins such as tyrosinase. An apparent down-regulatory effect on tyrosinase activity was observed when B16F10 cells were incubated with FPWE. Results of melanin assay using B16F10 cells treated with different concentrations (50, 125, and $250{\mu}g/mL$) of FPWE showed a dose-dependent decrease in melanin content. To determine whether or not FPWE indirectly affects tyrosinase activity, we assessed mushroom tyrosinase activity upon treatment with various concentrations (125, 250, 500, and $1,000{\mu}g/mL$) of FPWE. In addition, we investigated changes in the protein level of tyrosinase by using Western blotting. Tyrosinase and microphthalmia-associated transcription factor expression levels in B16F10 melanoma cells were reduced in a dose-dependent manner by FPWE. These results suggest that FPWE reduced melanin formation by inhibition of tyrosinase activity. Therefore, we suggest that FPWE could be used an effective whitening agent for skin.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.155-160
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• 2015

This research evaluate antioxidant and skin-whitening effect of Abeliophyllum distichum Nakai by extraction processes. First, antioxidant effects were follows: EE (70% ethanol extract) showed higher DPPH scavenging activity of 69.66% than WE (hot water exract) 59.13% at $0.3mg/m{\ell}$, also UE's (70% ethanol extract by sonication process) higher than EE. Reducing power was that also EE showed higher than WE, and it was the highest value with UE's because of ultrasonic pretreatment. Next, the whitening effect tyrosinase inhibition activity was measured that EE was 23.88%, WE's was 16.69%, and UE was 23.34%. Ultrasonic pretreatment did not influence to tyrosinase inhibition activity. Cell viability showed low cell toxicity in all groups. UE's inhibited melanin synthesis, 55.1%, that is higher than EE and WE, 52.7% and 39.5%, respectively. As a result, we confirmed that antioxidant activities and skin-whitening effect by extraction process. Also, this results confirmed that the Abeliophyllum distichum Nakai extracts worth as cosmetic materials.

• KSBB Journal
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.220-223
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• 2001

To determine the inhibition of mushroom tyrosinase activity, fresh and dried mugwort, Artemisia princeps was extracted initially with water and ethyl alcohol, and subsequently with hexane, chloroform and ethyl acetate in that order. The highest yield was obtained from the ethyl acetate (15.2%) and hexane (15.5%) fraction of the ethanolic extract of fresh and dried mugwort, respectively. For all fractions tested, the inhibition of tyrosinase activity by fresh mugwort was higher than that of dried mugwort, and the inhibition ratio of tyrosinase activity was 98.9% in the chloroform fraction and 96.7% in the hexane fraction.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.238-242
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• 2015

Background: Panax ginseng has been used to prolong longevity and is believed to be useful for improving skin complexion. Ginsenosides are the most active components isolated from ginseng, and ginsenoside Rg3 (G-Rg3) in particular has been demonstrated to possess antioxidative, antitumorigenic, and anti-inflammatory properties. The aim of this study was to examine the ability of G-Rg3 to inhibit melanogenesis. Methods: The effects of G-Rg3 on melanin contents and the protein levels of tyrosinase, microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF), and tyrosinase-related protein 1 (TRP1) were evaluated. Melanogenesis-regulating signaling molecules such as Akt and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) were also examined to explore G-Rg3-induced antimelanogenic mechanisms. Results: G-Rg3 was found to significantly inhibit the synthesis of melanin in normal human epidermal melanocytes and B16F10 cells in a dose-dependent manner. The activity of cellular tyrosinase and the expression of MITF, tyrosinase, and TRP1 were all reduced, whereas ERK was strongly activated. PD98059 (a specific inhibitor of ERK) attenuated the G-Rg3-induced inhibition of melanin synthesis and tyrosinase activity. Conclusion: Taken together, these results showed that G-Rg3 induces the activation of ERK, which accounts for its antimelanogenic effects. G-Rg3 may be a promising safe skin-whitening agent, adding to the long list of uses of P. ginseng for the enhancement of skin beauty.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.101-107
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• 1997

Phellinus linteus was artificially cultivated in kangwon province in Korea. The air-dried phellinus linteus was frozen in liquid nitrogen tank and powdered in jar. 10g of the powder was extracted with each 200g of ethanol, methanol, distilled water and 1,3-butylene glycol/distilled water 4 hours under refluxing and then the liquidextract was concentrated under reduced pressure. As a result of analysis by high performance liquid chromatography and thin layer chromarography, many kinds of sugar and flavonoids were detected. Also we knew that phellinus linteus' extract had a strong UV-ray absorption. In the efficacy test for applying to cosmetics, free radical scavenging effect was confirmed. As a result, 2% of sample was the most potent inhibitory effect and the free radical savenging activity, was 0.31%. This is more effective than any other meterial. In the test of antioxidative activity against lipid autoxidation, phellinus linteus' extract had a good effect by 46% while vitamine E was 42.3%. The immunological activity of phellinus linteus was showed through the activation of macrophage cell. Actually, phellinus linteus activated macrophage function of 1.1-1.8 times including nitrite production compared to control. The whitening effect of phellinus linteus was showed through the inhibition of tyrosinase activity, melanin biosynthesis of S. bikiniensis and B-16 melanoma cells. Phellinus linteus' extract was showed strong mushroom tyrosinase inhibitory activity with IC50 value of 0.5% and inhibited melanin biosynthesis with 28mm inhibition zone at 0.005%/paper disc in S. bikinniensis, a bacterium used as an indicator organism in this work. Also it inhibited melanin biosynthesis in B-16 melanoma cells with a minimum inhibitory concentration of 0.134%.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.25 no.12
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• pp.2011-2015
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• 2015

Ginsenoside Rb2 (Gin-Rb2) was purified from the fruit extract of Panax ginseng. Its chemical structure was measured by spectroscopic analysis, including HR-FAB-MS, ¹H-NMR, and IR spectroscopy. Gin-Rb2 decreased potent melanogenesis in melan-a cells, with 23.4% at 80 μM without cytotoxicity. Gin-Rb2 also decreased tyrosinase and MITF protein expression in melan-a cells. Furthermore, Gin-Rb2 presented inhibition of the body pigmentation in the zebrafish in vivo system and reduced melanin contents and tyrosinase activity. These results show that Gin-Rb2 isolated from P. ginseng may be an effective skin-whitening agent via the in vitro and in vivo systems.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.119-131
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• 2001

Exposure of the human skin to UV-light can cause sun-tanning, photoaging and even photo-carcinogenesis. Melanin is important in protecting the skin against UV damage, but excessive or uneven melanin production can lead to the formation of freckles and aged spot. Control of hyperpigmentation is becoming even more important as aged population continues to grow. These needs led us to develop effective and safe depigmenting-agent, kojyl 3-aminopropyl phosphate (kojyl-APPA), called Whitegen. The development of whitegen was based on the fact that phosphate group of 3-aminopropyl phosphate can make kojic acid more compatible to the skin membrane and more stable. Instability of kojic acid has been a problem in cosmetic use. The insertion of phosphoester group has been recognized as a powerful tool to improve such physical properties as solubility and stability, because the phosphodiester residue is well characterized as a non-toxic moiety, having a high affinity for cell membranes. Kojyl-APPA showed no tyrosinase inhibition effect compared to kojic acid in vitro, but showed tyrosinase inhibition effect in situ. It means that kojyl-APPA is converted to kojic acid enzymatically in cells. Kojyl-APPA showed the inhibitory activity on melanin synthesis in mouse melanoma and normal humal melnaocytes and also showed long-lasting stability in comparison with its original form (kojic acid). Kojyl-APPA showed depigmenting effects when applied to UVB-induced hyperpigmentated region of guinea pig skin. Based on these results, kojyl 3-aminopropyl phosphate can be used as a safe and effective ingredient for the brightness and cleanness of skin.

• 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 Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.574-580
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• 2009

Melanogenesis is induced mainly by ultraviolet radiation of sunlight and ${\alpha}$-Melanocyte stimulation hormone (${\alpha}$-MSH) which binds to a specific G protein coupled receptor. ${\alpha}$-MSH and cAMP-elevating agents are known to melanin syntheisis and dendrite outgrowth. The purpose of this study was to investigate the mechanism of melanogenesis inhibition in B16/F10 cells by ethanol extract of Artemisiae Capillaris Herba. In the present study, ${\alpha}$-MSH led to a stimulation of melanin synthesis that appeared to result from an increased tyrosinase activity and melanin content. However, the ethanol extract of Artemisiae Capillaris Herba inhibited the ${\alpha}$-MSH-induced tyrosinase activity and melanin content. In control conditions, B16/F10 cells displayed a fibroblastic appearance while ${\alpha}$-MSH treatment promoted the emergence of small and numerous dendrites from the plasma membrane. The ethanol extract of Artemisiae Capillaris Herba abolished the ${\alpha}$-MSH-induced dendricity. Regarding protein levels of the melanogenic enzymes, the amounts of tyrosinase were increased after incubation with ${\alpha}$-MSH. The treatment of Artemisiae Capillaris Herba ethanol extract decreased the ${\alpha}$-MSH expression levels of tyrosinase. Based on these findings, it is likely that the ethanol extract of Artemisiae Capillaris Herba exerts its depigmenting effects in B16/F10 cells through the suppression of tyrosinase expression, which are key enzymes for melanogenesis.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.33 no.2 s.129
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• pp.130-136
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• 2002

Melanogenesis is a physiological process resulting in the synthesis of melanin pigments, which play a crucial protective role against skin photocarcinogenesis. The heart wood of Caesalpinia sappan L.(C. sappan) has long been commonly used in Oriental folk medicines to promote blood circulation, and as an emmenagogue, analgesic or anti-inflammatory agent as well as a remedy for thrombosis. From the heartwood, many constituents have been purified and among them, brazilin and hematoxylin are two of the most abundant. This present study was designed to investigate the inhibitory effect of butanol extract from C. sappan on proliferation and melanogenesis in Melan-a cells. After 48 h treatment of these cells with various concentrations of butanol extract, the cells showed a dose-dependent inhibition in their proliferation without apoptotic cell death. Therefore, the growth retardation by the extract may be due to the cell arrest or cell differentiation. We also estimated total melanin content as a final product and activity of tyrosinase, a key enzyme, of melanogenesis in Melan-a cells. The melanin content and tyrosinase activity were deσeased in extract-treated cells in a dose dependent manner compared to control group. The butanol extract also resulted in a decrease of melanin content in ${\alpha}-melanocyte-stimulating$ hormone (MSH)-induced melanogenesis, indicating that butanol extract of C. sappan could be developed as skin whitening components of cosmetics.