Partially purifiedCurcuma longainhibits alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone-stimulated melanogenesis through extracellular signal-regulated kinase or Akt activation-mediated signalling in B16F10 cells

Artocarpus communisis an agricultural plant that is also used in folk medicine to prevent skin diseases, including acne and dermatitis. Extracts ofA. communishave been used to effectively inhibit melanogenesis; however, the antimelanogenesis mechanism of these extracts has not yet been investigated. The present study utilized a cell-free tyrosinase assay as well asα-melanocyte stimulating hormone- (-MSH-) induced tyrosinase assay conducted in B16F10 cells, performed a cytotoxicity assay, and determined cellular melanin content to examine the effects of a methanolic extract ofA. communis(ACM) and various organic partition fractions ofA. communison melanogenesis. In addition, we performed western blot analysis to elucidate the mechanism of their antimelanogenesis effect. Our results indicated that, except for the n-hexane extract, ACM and the various partition extracts at noncytotoxic concentrations effectively decreased melanin content and tyrosinase activity by downregulating microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF) and phosphorylated cAMP response element-binding protein (p-CREB). Moreover, ACM and the partition fractions activated phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) to inhibit the synthesis of MITF and finally to decrease melanin production. In conclusion, we suggest that noncytotoxic concentrations of ACM and the various partition fractions may be useful as references for developing skin-lighting agents for use in medicines or cosmetics.

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Anti-Melanogenic Effects of Bergamottin via Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases and Protein Kinase B Signaling Pathways

Natural Product Communications ◽

10.1177/1934578x19862105 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 14 (7) ◽

pp. 1934578X1986210

Author(s):

You Chul Chung ◽

Yun Beom Kim ◽

Bong Seok Kim ◽

Chang-Gu Hyun

Keyword(s):

Protein Kinase ◽

Protein Kinases ◽

Protein Kinase B ◽

Positive Control ◽

Akt Inhibitor ◽

Mitogen Activated Protein Kinases ◽

Melanocyte Stimulating Hormone ◽

B16f10 Cells ◽

Extracellular Signal ◽

Mitogen Activated Protein

In this study, we examined the inhibitory effects of bergamottin on melanogenesis in B16F10 murine melanoma cells, together with its effects on the mechanism of melanin synthesis. α-Melanocyte stimulating hormone-stimulated B16F10 cells were treated with various concentrations of bergamottin, with arbutin as a positive control. Bergamottin significantly decreased the melanin content and tyrosinase activity without showing any cytotoxicity. In addition, bergamottin treatment significantly downregulated the expression of tyrosinase-related protein-1,2 and tyrosinase by suppressing the expression of microphthalmia-associated transcription factor. The phosphorylation status of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) and protein kinase B (AKT) was examined to determine the mechanism underlying the antimelanogenic effects of bergamottin. Bergamottin treatment increased the phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and AKT, but decreased the phosphorylation of p38 and c-Jun N-terminal kinase in the B16F10 cells. Moreover, the use of PD98059 (ERK inhibitor) and LY294002 (AKT inhibitor) corroborated these findings, indicating that bergamottin inhibits melanogenesis via the MAPKase and AKT signaling pathway. Thus, bergamottin has potential for treating hyperpigmentation disorders and can be a promising chemical for skin-whitening in the cosmetic industry.

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