Abstract

We have previously reported that argan oil and argan press-cake from the kernels of Argania spinosa have an anti-melanogenesis effect. Here, the effect of argan fruit shell ethanol extract (AFSEE) on melanogenesis in B16F10 cells was determined, and the mechanism underlying its effect was elucidated. The proliferation of AFSEE-treated B16F10 cells was evaluated using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazolyl-2)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, while the melanin content was quantified using a spectrophotometric method. The expression of melanogenesis-related proteins was determined by Western blot and real-time PCR, while global gene expression was determined using a DNA microarray. In vitro analysis results showed that the melanin content of B16F10 cells was significantly increased by AFSEE, without cytotoxicity, by increasing the melanogenic enzyme tyrosinase (TRY), tyrosinase related-protein 1 (TRP1), and dopachrome tautomerase (DCT) protein and mRNA expression, as well as upregulating microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF) expression through mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and p38, and the cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) signaling pathway, as indicated by the microarray analysis results. AFSEE’s melanogenesis promotion effect is primarily attributed to its polyphenolic components. In conclusion, AFSEE promotes melanogenesis in B16F10 cells by upregulating the expression of the melanogenic enzymes through the cAMP–MITF signaling pathway.AFSEE may be used as a cosmetics product component to promote melanogenesis, or as a therapeutic against hypopigmentation disorders.

Highlights

  • Cutaneous pigmentation is the primary defense of the human skin against harmful UV radiation, and it is imparted by the pigment melanin, a polymer resulting from melanogenesis in melanocytes [1]

  • microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF) acts as the master regulator of the expression of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) activates causing melanin phosphorylation of the cAMP responsive bindingtyrosinase-related element (CREB), multiple enzymesPKA, that catalyze biosynthesis, including tyrosinase (TYR), which in turn promotes the transcription of the(DCT)

  • We evaluated the effect of extract, only non-toxic concentrations of argan fruit shell ethanol extract (AFSEE) (6 μg/mL to 30 μg/mL) were used in the experiments

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Summary

Introduction

Cutaneous pigmentation is the primary defense of the human skin against harmful UV radiation, and it is imparted by the pigment melanin, a polymer resulting from melanogenesis in melanocytes [1]. Defects in melanocyte functions can lead to the loss of melanin pigment, bringing about hypopigmentation disorders, such as progressive macular hypomelanosis. The treatment for hypopigmentation involves the use of topical corticosteroids, laser treatment, or skin.

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