Effect of Irradiation with Visible Light (Green, Red, Blue) on Inhibition of Melanin Biosynthesis

Abstract

Purpose: This study aims to investigate the inhibitory effect and regulatory mechanism of melanin biosynthesis in mouse-derived B16 melanoma cells (B16F10), using a light emitting diode (LED) light source irradiation device of three single wavelengths (630, 470, 525 nm) for irradiation of visible light (green, red, blue). Methods: Using three single-wavelength LED light sources, cytotoxicity, tyrosinase activity, and melanin biosynthesis were measured. Results: LED irradiation with green, red, and blue wavelengths did not show cytotoxicity or changes in melanin content at each wavelength. When the wavelength was irradiated alone, the blue and green LED wavelengths caused a decrease in tyrosinase activity, blocking the intracellular signaling mechanism that caused the increase in tyrosinase activity induced by α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH). In addition, protein kinase A cascade, an intracellular signaling mechanism that causes an increase in tyrosinase activity induced by α-MSH, was blocked, as it was inhibited with cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP). Red series wavelength LED did not lead to any reaction. Conclusion: The irradiation of blue and green series wavelength LEDs among visible lights controls the mechanism involved in melanin formation in skin cells and results in skin whitening, which suggests that it can be effective in the whitening and cosmetic industry using LED in the future.