• Journal of Life Science
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• v.32 no.5
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• pp.355-361
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• 2022

Melanin pigments are the main cause of skin color. They are produced in melanocytes and then transferred to keratinocytes, which eventually gives the skin surface a variety of colors. Although many skin-lightening or depigmenting agents have been developed, the demand for materials to reduce pig- mentation is still increasing. Here, we tried to find materials for skin-lightening or depigmentation using natural compounds and found that mistletoe (Viscum album var. coloratum) extracts (ME) had an inhibitory effect on tyrosinase activity. As a result, ME significantly reduced pigmentation in human primary melanocytes. In addition, a promoter reporter assay revealed that ME inhibited the transcription of microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF), melanophilin (MLPH), tyrosinase-related protein-2 (TRP-2), and tyrosinase (TYR) genes in HM3KO melanoma cells. In addition, ME decreased the protein level for pigmentation-related molecules, such as TYR and TRP-1. Furthermore, it markedly inhibited the melanogenesis of zebrafish embryos, an in vivo evaluation model for pigmentation. To elucidate the action mechanism of ME, we investigated its effects on intracellular signaling. Eventually, the ME dramatically decreased the phosphorylation of the cAMP responsive element binding protein (CREB), AKT, and ERK. The data suggest that ME may inhibit the melanogenesis pathway by regulating the signaling pathway related to pigmentation. Taken together, these data propose that ME can be developed as a depigmenting or skin-lightening agent.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.275-286
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• 2008

In this study, we investigated the anti-oxidative, anti-wrinkle and whitening effects of Platycarya strobilacea bark extracts. The free radical (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl, DPPH) scavenging activity ($FSC_{50}$) of extract / fractions of Platycarya strobilacea was in the order: 50% ethanol extract ($6.75{\mu}g/mL$) < deglycosylated aglycone fraction ($6.62{\mu}g/mL$) < ethyl acetate fraction ($4.15{\mu}g/mL$). Reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging activities ($OSC_{50}$) of some Platycarya strobilacea extracts on ROS generated in $Fe^{3+}$-EDTA/$H_2O_2$ system were investigated using the luminol-dependent chemiluminescence assay. The order of ROS scavenging activity was ethyl acetate fraction (OSC50, $0.56{\mu}g/mL$) < 50% ethanol extract ($0.02{\mu}g/mL$) < deglycosylated aglycone fraction ($0.01{\mu}g/mL$). The deglycosylated aglycone fraction showed the most prominent scavenging activity. The protective effects of extract / fractions of Platycarya strobilacea on the rose-bengal sensitized photohemolysis of human erythrocytes were investigated. The ethanol extract (50%) suppressed photohemolysis in a concentration dependent manner, particularly ethyl acetate fraction exhibited the most prominent cellular protective effect (${\tau}_{50}$, 717.27 min at $10{\mu}g/mL$). The inhibitory effect of Platycarya strobilacea extracts on tyrosinase were investigated to assess their whitening efficacy. Finally, their anti-elastase activities were measured to predict the anti-wrinkle efficacy in the human skin. The inhibitory effect ($IC_{50}$) on tyrosinase of some Platycarya strobilacea extracts was 50% ethanol extract ($243.98{\mu}g/mL$) < ethyl acetate fraction ($153.87{\mu}g/mL$) < deglycosylated aglycone fraction ($137.53{\mu}g/mL$). Also, The inhibitory effect of elastase ($IC_{50}$) of some Platycarya strobilacea extracts was 50% ethanol extract ($31.01{\mu}g/mL$) < ethyl acetate fraction ($14.42{\mu}g/mL$) < deglycosylated aglycone fraction ($1.48{\mu}g/mL$). The cream containing the ethyl acetate fraction of Platycarya strobilacea extracts was formulated. The skin hydration, transepidermal water loss, and the whitening effects were investigated after topical application of the cream. The skin hydration of cream containing extract was increased by $2{\sim}8%$ than the placebo cream, transepidermal water loss was decreased. The cream containing extract suppressed the melanogenesis of skin by 9.55% than the placebo cream. These results indicate that extract / fractions of Platycarya strobilacea can function as antioxidants in biological systems, particularly skin exposed to UV radiation by anti-oxidative activity and protect cellular membranes against ROS. The inhibitory effect on elastase and tyrosinase, and the increase of skin hydration and the whitening effect of the cream containing extract could be applicable to new functional cosmetics for antiaging.

• KSBB Journal
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.330-336
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• 2010

In this study, a new compound, 1-(2-hydroxy-3,4,5,6-tetramethoxyphenyl)-1-methoxy-3-phenylpropane; (Jeju-Erythrane) was isolated and identified from the bark of Lindera erythrocarpa Makino. Also, we investigated the effects of Jeju-Erythrane on alpha melanocyte-stimulating hormone (MSH)-induced melanogenesis in mouse B16F10 melanoma cells. The new compound dose dependently inhibited the tyrosinase activity and melanin synthesis in B16F10 cells. The new compound showed inhibitory effect on the Tyrosinase and TRP-1 gene transcription but not on the TRP-2 gene. These results suggest that the new compound of L. erythrocarpa could be used as a functional biomaterial in developing skin whitening agent.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.44 no.10
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• pp.1470-1475
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• 2015

The objective of this study was to evaluate the whitening effect of green tea seed shell as an industrial byproduct. Green tea seed shell extract (GTSE) was obtained by ethanol extraction, and the yield was 1.24%. 1,1-Diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging and tyrosinase inhibitory activity of GTSE increased dose-dependently. To estimate inhibition of melanin synthesis, viability was tested in B16BL6 melanoma cells. GTSE treatment induced cytotoxicity at a concentration higher than $125{\mu}g/mL$ but did not induce cytoxicity lower than $62.5{\mu}g/mL$. Thus, we fixed the optimal concentration at $62.5{\mu}g/mL$. Using this optimal concentration, melanin synthesis inhibition was measured, and GTSE treatment significantly reduced melanin synthesis induced by ${\alpha}$-melanin stimulating hormone. Therefore, the results indicate that green tea seed shell extracts may have potential melanin synthesis inhibitory activity and may be useful for development of whitening material as a natural ingredient.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.312-321
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• 2018

Angelica tenuissima, also known as Ligusticum tenuissimum, is classified as a food-related plant and has been used as traditional medicines treating headache and anemia in Asia. However, its anti-melanogenic effect has not been reported in detail. When the extract of Angelica tenuissima (ATE) was prepared by the extraction with 70% EtOH at $80^{\circ}C$ (final yield = 22%), the contents of decursin and Z-ligustilide in ATE were determined 0.06% and 8.43%, respectively. Total flavonoid and phenolic content in mg ATE were $5.52{\pm}0.07{\mu}g$ quercetin equivalents and $237.27{\pm}13.24{\mu}g$ gallic acid equivalents, respectively. Antioxidant capacity of ATE determined by DPPH and ABTS assay was increased with a dose dependent manner up to $1000{\mu}g/m{\ell}$. The amount of melanin synthesis followed by ${\alpha}-melanocyte$ stimulating hormone on B16F10 cells were significantly reduced in the presence of ATE (250 to $1000{\mu}g/m{\ell}$, p<0.05). ATE (125 to $1000{\mu}g/m{\ell}$, p<0.05) suppressed the tyrosinase activity but did not show any significant effect on ${\alpha}-glucosidase$ activity at the same condition. Taken together, ATE possesses tyrosinase inhibitory potential with significant antioxidant capacities. These effects of ATE might be involved in suppression of melanin synthesis, at least, in B16F10 cells. The anti-melanogenic potential of ATE will provide an insight into developing a new skin whitening product.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.674-680
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• 2010

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of Fructus Ligustri Lucidi (FLL) on the process of melanogenesis. Cell viability of B16F10 cells was measured by MTT assay and melanin content was assessed using the method of Hosoi with some modifications. Methanol extract of Fructus Ligustri Lucidi (MFLL) significantly inhibited melanin synthesis in a concentration-dependent manner, and it reduced the activity of tyrosinase, the rate-limiting melanogenic enzyme. Additionally, $\alpha$-melanocyte stimulation hormone ($\alpha$-MSH)-induced hyperpigmentation was down-regulated by MFLL. MFLL was fractionated by organic solvent. In the present study, Hexane extract of Fructus Ligustri Lucidi (HFLL) inhibited tyrosinase activity and melanin production of B16F10 cells in the absence or presence of $\alpha$-MSH. Ethyl acetate, butanol and water layers did not affect tyrosinase activity and melanin production. Meanwhile ethyl acetate, butanol and water layers showed DPPH free radical scavenging activity. These results suggest that extract of FLL could be used as functional biomaterial in developing a skin whitening agent having the antioxidant activity.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.257-263
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• 2009

In order to search for new whitening cosmetic ingredients from Chinese herbal extracts including Chinese herbs and complex prescriptions from TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine), we screened about 47 TCM extracts collected from China. We tested their inhibitory effects on melanogenesis by using in vitro tyrosinase inhibition assay and B16 melanoma cells. We selected Siphonostegia chinensis and Salvianic miltiorrhiza Bunge. We isolated Danshensu ($\alpha$,3,4-trihydroxybenzenepropanoic acid sodium salt) from Salvianic miltiorrhiza Bunge extract and tested its inhibitory effect on melanin formation in B16-F10 melanoma cells. Danshensu suppressed melanin synthesis up to about 50% at a concentration of $100\;{\mu}g/mL$. Siphonostegia chinensis suppressed melanin synthesis up to about 60% at a concentration of $300\;{\mu}g/mL$. The results showed that these extracts could be used as new natural active ingredients for whitening cosmetics.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.169-177
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• 2011

To evaluate the whitening effect of Camellia sinensis water extract (CSWE), CSWE was treated to melan-a cells. Total polyphenol contents and flavonoid contents of CSWE were 102 mg/g and 87 mg/g, respectively. The electron-donating ability of CSWE revealed a dose-dependent response, showing the excellent ability of 82% at 800 ${\mu}g$/mL, and which was higher than the arbutin (48%). The CSWE significantly (p<0.001) suppressed the melanin synthesis and the development of melanocyte dendrites was inhibited in a dose-dependent manner. The CSWE significantly (p<0.001) inhibited both intra-cellular and cell-extracted tyrosinase activities. And inhibitory efficacies of CSWE on both melanin synthesis and tyrosinase activity were significantly (p<0.001) higher than the arbutin. The tyrosinase protein expression was not influenced by arbutin treatment. However, CSWE treatment significantly (p<0.001) reduced it. Both arbutin and CSWE treatment did not influence on mRNA expressions of tyrosinase, tyrosinase-related protein-1 and tyrosinase related protein-2.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.44 no.1
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• pp.89-93
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• 2012

The purpose of this study was to investigate the antioxidant and skin whitening effects of Artemisia iwayomogi extract. Artemisia iwayomogi was extracted with 100% ethanol and water. The antioxidative and skin whitening effects of these extracts were determined with in vitro assays by using 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) method assessing the inhibitory effects on tyrosinase activity and melanogenesis in B16 melanoma cells. Radical scavenging activity of the extracts was tested by DPPH assay which showed a high DPPH radical scavenging activity ($SC_{50}$; 17.1 ppm in EtOH, 198.4 ppm in water). In term of tyrosinase inhibitory activity, Artemisia iwayomogi ethanol extract showed high inhibition activity ($IC_{50}$: 481.8 ppm). In B16 mouse melanoma cells, the ethanol extract significantly inhibited melanin synthesis by 36.8% at a concentration of 50 ppm. These results suggest that Artemisia iwayomogi ethanol extract has significant antioxidant activity and whitening activity.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.44 no.1
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• pp.94-99
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• 2012

We investigated the in vitro antioxidant and antimelanogenesis effects of ethanol extracts from eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) peels. The total phenolics and chlorogenic acid in ethanol extracts were 2,465 mg/100 g and 2.08 mg/100 g, respectively. ABTS radical scavenging activity, ferric reducing/antioxidant power assay, and malondialdehyde (MDA) inhibitory effect of the extracts increased in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, the extracts generally showed strong UV absorption in the range of UV-B (290-320 nm). The $IC_{50}$ of mushroom tyrosinase inhibitory activity of ethanol extracts from eggplant peels was 870 ${\mu}g/mL$. Importantly, the melanin syntheses of B16/F10 melanoma cells were decreased by extracts in a concentration-dependent manner. Overall, these results suggest that eggplant peels can be potentially applied as a anti-melanogenic agent as well as an antioxidant resource.