Dendropanax morbifera Leveille Extract-Induced Alteration of Metabolic Profile in Whitening Effects

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the potential of Dendropanax morbifera Leveille (D. morbifera) extract as a natural melanin depigmentation agent to achieve skin whitening. Treating α-MSH-stimulated B16-F10 cells with the extract effectively inhibited melanin production and tyrosinase activity. The cellular metabolic profiles were analyzed to understand the mechanisms underlying the whitening-related metabolic processes. We identified 29 metabolites that were significantly altered in the α-MSH-stimulated B16-F10 cells. The melanin-synthesis-related pathways that were downregulated included phenylalanine, tyrosine, and tryptophan biosynthesis and phenylalanine metabolism. Simultaneously, alanine, aspartate, and glutamate metabolism; arginine and proline metabolism; arginine biosynthesis; butanoate metabolism; glutathione metabolism; and glyoxylate and dicarboxylate metabolism were upregulated. We found that the optimal extract concentration of 0.2 mg/mL showed the highest efficacy in reversing the alterations to the metabolite levels and metabolic pathways. Moreover, D. morbifera extract exerted low cytotoxicity and high efficacy in inhibiting melanin production. Thus, D. morbifera extract is a potential melanin inhibitor with application in the development of whitening cosmetics.