• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.133-139
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• 2010

In order to develop a new skin whitening agent, approximately 100 plant extracts were evaluated for their inhibitory activities against melanin biosynthesis in cultured mouse melanocyte melan-a cells. As a result, seven extracts exhibited over 50% inhibition of melanin synthesis compared to control at a concentration of $20\;{\mu}g/ml$. In particular, Aster ageratoides Turcz. var. ageratoides (branch, root, aerial, flower; $IC_{50}$ = 17.3, 6.1, 13.6, $12.9\;{\mu}g/ml$, respectively) and Physalis alkekengi var. francheti (leaf, unripen fructus, aerial; $IC_{50}$ = 6.5, 28.3, $23.9\;{\mu}g/ml$) markedly inhibited melanin synthesis. In addition, tyrosinase activity was monitored by the measurement of dopachrome formation from the oxidation of L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine. Extracts of A. ageratoides Turcz. var. ageratoides (flower) and P. alkekengi var. francheti (leaf) showed the most potent tyrosinase inhibitory activity. These plants might be the potential candidate sources in the development of novel skin-whitening products.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.44 no.4
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• pp.391-396
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• 2013

In this study, we investigated the effects of onion(Allium cepa L.) peel extraction aplication on UVB-induced damage of mouse skin. The male C57BL/6 weeks mice were divided into three groups; the control group(Con), the UVB irradiated group(UVB) and the group treated with onion peel extract after UVB irradiation(UVB+Onion peel). Onion peel extraction were topically treated after UVB irradiation(800 $mJ/cm^2$) to dorsal skin. We were measured TEWL, melanin value, erythema index and histological of mouse skin. In the TEWL, melanin value and erythema index observation, UVB+onion peel group were decreased then in the UVB group and 120 and 168 hr groups were similar to the control group. In the histological observation, UVB+onion peel group were indicated hyperkeratosis then in the UVB. These results showed that onion peel extract as a topical application may have preventive effect against UVB-induced skin damage. Therefore onion peel extract might be good material for UVB-damage skin care.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.28 no.12
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• pp.2121-2132
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• 2018

Abnormal melanin synthesis results in several hyperpigmentary disorders such as freckles, melanoderma, age spots, and other related conditions. In this study, we investigated the anti-melanogenic effects of an extract from the microalgae Chlamydomonas reinhardtii (CE) and potential mechanisms responsible for its inhibitory effect in B16F10, normal human epidermal melanocyte cells, and human skin-equivalent models. The CE extract showed significant dose-dependent inhibitory effects on ${\alpha}$-melanocyte-stimulating, hormone-induced melanin synthesis in cells. Additionally, the CE extract exhibited suppressive effects on the mRNA and protein expression of microphthalmia-associated transcription factor, tyrosinase, tyrosinase-related protein-1, and tyrosinase-related protein-2. The CE extract also inhibited the phosphorylation of protein kinase A and extracellular signal-related kinase, which function as upstream regulators of melanogenesis. Using a three-dimensional, reconstructed pigmented epidermis model, the CE-mediated, anti-pigmentation effects were confirmed by Fontana-Masson staining and melanin content assays. Taken together, CE extract can be used as an anti-pigmentation agent.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.44 no.3
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• pp.496-505
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• 2020

Background: Panax ginseng is a marvelous herbal remedy for all ailments of body. That may be why it is called Panax, which means "cure for all". Melanin is a pigment that gives color to our skin; however, increased melanin production can lead to tumor formation. Human exposure to ultraviolet B radiation has increased extensively owing to the increased sunlight due to global warming. Consequently, a phenomenon called photoaging has been observed for all skin colors and types. As a result of this phenomenon, a set of enzymes called matrix metalloproteinases, which serve as degradation enzymes for extracellular matrix proteins, mainly collagen, is increased, causing depletion of collagen and resulting in early wrinkle formation. Methods: Therefore, in our study, we used the murine melanoma cell line B16/F10 to study the inhibition of melanogenesis by Korean Red Ginseng (KRG) extract in vitro and HRM-2 hairless mice exposed to artificial ultraviolet B to examine the efficacy of KRG in vivo. We prepared a 3% red ginseng extract cream and evaluated its effects on human skin. Results: Our results demonstrated that KRG induced potent suppression of tyrosinase activity and melanin production in B16/F10 cells; moreover, it reduced the transcription and translation of components involved in the melanin production pathway. In the in vivo experiments, KRG potently suppressed the expression of matrix metalloproteinases, reduced wrinkle formation, and inhibited collagen degradation. On human skin, ginseng cream increased skin resilience and skin moisture and enhanced skin tone. Conclusion: Therefore, we conclude that KRG is an excellent skin whitening and antiaging product.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.42 no.2
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• pp.218-224
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• 2018

Background: Compound K (CK) is a ginsenoside, a metabolite of Panax ginseng. There is interest both in increasing skin health and antiaging using natural skin care products. In this study, we explored the possibility of using CK as a cosmetic ingredient. Methods: To assess the antiaging effect of CK, RT-PCR was performed, and expression levels of matrix metalloproteinase-1, cyclooxygenase-2, and type I collagen were measured under UVB irradiation conditions. The skin hydrating effect of CK was tested by RT-PCR, and its regulation was explored through immunoblotting. Melanin content, melanin secretion, and tyrosinase activity assays were performed. Results: CK treatment reduced the production of matrix metalloproteinase-1 and cyclooxygenase-2 in UVB irradiated NIH3T3 cells and recovered type I collagen expression level. Expression of skin hydrating factors-filaggrin, transglutaminase, and hyaluronic acid synthases-1 and -2-were augmented by CK and were modulated through the inhibitor of ${\kappa}B{\alpha}$, c-Jun N-terminal kinase, or extracellular signal-regulated kinases pathway. In the melanogenic response, CK did not regulate tyrosinase activity and melanin secretion, but increased melanin content in B16F10 cells was observed. Conclusion: Our data showed that CK has antiaging and hydrating effects. We suggest that CK could be used in cosmetic products to protect the skin from UVB rays and increase skin moisture level.

• International Journal of Advanced Culture Technology
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• v.7 no.4
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• pp.125-136
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• 2019

The radish skin and radish greens are an edible part of the radish. But they are removed before eating the radish and used as a byproduct or an animal feed material because of their tough and rough texture. Melanin is a pigment that gives colour to our skin. But increased production of melanin can turn into benign or malignant tumours. These days due to global warming, the amount of Ultra violet (UVB) rays has been extensively increased with sunlight. Due to this, a phenomenon called exogenous photo aging is widely observed for all skin colour and types. As a result of this phenomenon, a set of enzymes called matrix metalloproteinases (MMP's) that serves as degradation enzymes for extracellular matrix proteins mainly collagen is increased, causing depletion in collagen and resulting in early wrinkles formation. Therefore in our study we used the murine melanoma cell line B16/F10 to study the melanogenesis inhibition by Heated radish extract (HRE) in vitro and we used HRM-2 hair less mice exposed to artificial UVB for checking the efficacy of Heated radish extract in vivo. Furthermore, we prepared a 3% Heated radish extract (HRE) cream and checked its effects on human skin. Our results have clearly demonstrated that Heated radish extract (HRE) have potently suppressed the tyrosinase activity and melanin production in B16/F10 cells. It had also reduced the expression of components involved in melanin production pathway both transcriptionally and transitionally. In in vivo studies, HRE had potently suppressed the expression of MMP's and reduced the wrinkle formation and inhibited collagen degradation. Moreover, on human skin, ginseng cream increased the resilience, skin moisture and enhanced the skin tone. Therefore in light of these findings, we conclude that HRE is an excellent skin whitening and antiaging product.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.151-167
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• 2003

Melanin biosynthesis is a human defense mechanism to protect skin from UV irradiation and also determines colors of hair and skin. However, as a interest on skin-whitening increases, researches to prevent pigmentation and hypersynthesis of melanin in skin are being actively in progress. Active components used as a whitening agent in cosmeceuticals are kojic acid, arbutin, vitamin C and hydroquinone. However, until now, because comparison researches among them in the aspect of both melanin formation and cellular toxicity have not been performed, we can't exactly estimate merits and defects of them as a whitening agent. To this end, we performed experiments to compare their effects on cell viability and melanin formation. As a first step, in vitro tyrosinase inhibition assay was done. While kojic acid and hydroquinone showed strong inhibition activities(their IC$\_$50/s are all < 100uM), arbutin and vitamin C showed weak activities. IC$\_$50/s of arbutin and vitamin C are 100uM and 400∼500uM, respectively. In B16BL6 melanoma cells, like in vitro tyrosinase inhibition assay, arbutin and kojic acid showed more strong inhibition effect on melanin synthesis than vitamin C. And unlike arbutin, vitamin C and kojic acid induced cell death at high concentration. Although arbutin showed no cytotoxicity, it has side effect to induce morphological change at high concentration.. In this paper, we suggest both kojic acid and arbutin have stronger ability to inhibit melanogenesis than vitamin C. And they also have side effect, that is, kojic acid induces cell death like vitamin C and arbutin changes cell morphology respectively.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.296-302
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• 2014

Saposhmikoviae Radix can treat various skin disease by anti-pruitus and anti-inflammatory effects. This study was designed to investigate effects of Saposhmikoviae Radix Extracts(SRE) on skin elasticity and whitening using B16F10 cell lines. In this experiment, We observed effect of SRE on cell viability, inhibition of melanin synthesis and inhibitory effect on tyrosinase and elastase. In results, SRE treated group showed lowered proliferation rates significantly compared to non-treated group. More than SRE $125{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ of treated groups were lower levels of melanin synthesis respectively. SRE did not show inhibitory effect on tyrosinase activities in vitro and in B16F10 cells. Finally, SRE suppressed elastse type I and IV activities in dose-dependent manner in vitro. And SRE also slightly suppressed elastase activities in B16F10 cells. In conclusion, these results suggest that SRE can inhibit melanin synthesis and inhibt elastase activity. So, We suggest that SRE can be maintained skin elasticity or whitening.

• KSBB Journal
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.233-237
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• 2017

Melanin is one of the most important factors affecting skin color. Melanogenesis is the bioprocess of melanin production by melanocytes in the skin and hair follicles and is mediated by several enzymes, such as tyrosinase, tyrosinase related protein (TRP)-1, and TRP-2, MITF. In this study, we investigated the effect of Artemisia fukudo Makino extracts on tyrosinase activity and melanin production as natural products of whitening functional cosmetics. Melanin content in murine B16F10 melanoma cells were decreased by Artemisia fukudo Makino extracts in a dose-dependently. In addition, the inhibition of tyrosinase activity of Artemisia fukudo Makino extracts showed to decrease tyrosinase activity as the concentration of ${\alpha}-MSH$ was increased. Furthermore, western blot analysis revealed that Artemisia fukudo Makino extracts significantly downregulated the expression of tyrosinase, TRP-1 which treat of ${\alpha}-MSH-induced$ melanogenesis in murine B16F10 melanoma cells. As a result, Artemisia fukudo Makino extract showed functionalities as an effective whitening agent to inhibit melanin formation.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.18 no.5
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• pp.874-879
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• 2008

Tyrosinase is a key enzyme for melanin biosynthesis, and hyperpigmentation disorders are associated with abnormal accumulation of melanin pigments, which can be reduced by treatment with depigmenting agents. The methanol extract of Lespedeza cyrtobotrya $M_{IQ}$ showed inhibitory activity against mushroom tyrosinase. The active compound was purified from the methanol extract of L. cyrtobotrya, followed by several chromatographic methods, and identified as dalbergioidin (DBG) by spectroscopic methods. The results showed that DBG exhibited tyrosinase inhibitory activity with an $IC_{50}$ of $20\;{\mu}M$. The kinetic analysis of tyrosinase inhibition revealed that DBG acted as a noncompetitive inhibitor. In addition, DBG showed a melanin biosynthesis inhibition zone in the culture plate of Streptomyces bikiniensis that has commonly been used as an indicator organism. Furthermore, $27\;{\mu}M$ DBG decreased more than 50% of melanin contents on the pigmentation using the immortalized mouse melanocyte, melan-a cell.