Abstract
Melanogenesis is a biosynthetic pathway that produces the pigment melanin in human skin. The catalyzation of the key enzyme tyrosinase is the first step in melanogenesis, and the downregulation of tyrosinase enzyme activity is the most reported method for inhibiting melanogenesis. Hyperpigmentation is an important issue in the cosmetic industry, and there is great demand for melanogenesis inhibitors. In the present study, we demonstrated the anti-melanogenic effect of Inonotus obliquus in alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH)-induced B16F10 mouse melanoma cells and identified it as a new melanogenesis inhibitor. Comparing the B16F10 cells treated with the control and the Inonotus obliquus extract, we identified the melanin contents, mRNA and protein expression of tyrosinase, tyrosinase activity, and microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (Mitf) activity using a constructed plasmid. Through these experiments, we confirmed that Inonotus obliquus extract inhibits melanin synthesis by downregulating the activity and expression of tyrosinase. Furthermore, we revealed that tyrosinase expression is regulated by Inonotus obliquus extract via the repression of Mitf transcriptional activity. Thus, in this study, we found that Inonotus obliquus extract has anti-melanogenic effects via the suppression of melanin synthesis. Taken together, we demonstrated that Inonotus obliquus extract is a good potential candidate for use as a natural source for the therapeutic treatment of hyperpigmentation and for applications in whitening cosmetic products.
Highlights
The skin has epidermal units, which are composed of a melanocyte surrounded by keratinocytes and regulated by a closed paracrine system [1]
We evaluated the anti-melanogenesis effect of Inonotus obliquus extract by monitoring the melanin contents, intracellular tyrosinase activity, and microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (Mitf ) expression in alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH)-induced melanogenesis in B16F10 mouse melanoma cells
We investigated the effects of Inonotus obliquus extract on melanogenesis by using mushroom tyrosinase in a cell-free system and intracellular tyrosinase in cultured B16F10 melanoma cells with α-MSH as a control
Summary
The skin has epidermal units, which are composed of a melanocyte surrounded by keratinocytes and regulated by a closed paracrine system [1]. Melanocytes are responsible for melanin production and distribution via a process called melanogenesis [2]. Melanin is the primary determinant of skin, hair, and eye color [3]. When melanin is deposited abnormally, it may cause various pigmentation disorders, which are classified as hypo- or hyperpigmentation [4]. Tyrosinase activity has a significant effect on skin pigmentation. Because tyrosinase has such an important impact on skin color and the treatment of skin pigmentation defects, the cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries are continuously seeking to identify new ingredients that are capable of regulating tyrosinase activity [6,7]. New tyrosinase inhibitors are continually in demand to effectively treat melanogenesis-caused problems with as few side effects as possible. The effects of various natural extracts on human skin whitening and melanogenesis inhibition have
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