Abstract
BackgroundThe mode of action of Lycium chinense Miller root extract in skin care has never been explored. In the present study, Lycium chinense Miller root was extracted by the supercritical fluid CO2 extraction method.MethodsIn the present study, the components of the root extract were analyzed by HPLC. The effects of the extract on tyrosinase activity and melanin content were determined spectrophotometrically; the expression of melanogenesis-related proteins was determined by Western blotting; the possible signaling pathways involved in the root extract-mediated depigmentation were also investigated using specific inhibitors.ResultsThe results revealed that the SFE of Lycium chinense Miller root (2.37-7.11 mg/mL) effectively suppressed intracellular tyrosinase activity and decreased the melanin content in B16F10 cells. The root extract also effectively decreased intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels. Furthermore, the root extract decreased the expression of melanocortin 1 receptor (MC1R), microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF), tyrosinase and tyrosinase-related protein-1 (TRP-1) and then inhibited melanogenesis in B16F10 cells. The root extract also showed antioxidant capacities and depleted cellular ROS.ConclusionsOur results indicate that the SFE of Lycium chinense Miller root inhibited melanogenesis in B16F10 cells by down-regulation of both mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) and protein kinase A (PKA) signaling pathways or through its antioxidant properties.
Highlights
The mode of action of Lycium chinense Miller root extract in skin care has never been explored
These results suggest that Lycium chinense Miller root supercritical fluid CO2 extraction (SFE) inhibited melanin synthesis by down-regulating p38 mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) signaling and subsequently decreased melanin synthesis in α-melanocyte stimulating hormone (MSH)-stimulated B16F10 cells
Our results indicate that Lycium chinense Miller root SFE inhibited melanogenesis in B16F10 cells by downregulation of both mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) and protein kinase A (PKA) signaling pathways or through its antioxidant properties
Summary
The mode of action of Lycium chinense Miller root extract in skin care has never been explored. Lycium chinense Miller root was extracted by the supercritical fluid CO2 extraction method. The inhibitors of melanogenesis have been increasingly applied in skin care products for the treatment or prevention of melanocytes. Certain ROS scavengers and inhibitors of ROS generation have been reported to inhibit UV-induced melanogenesis [9]. Antioxidants such as reduced glutathione (GSH) and ascorbic derivatives have been applied to inhibit or delay hyperpigmentation [10,11]. Antioxidants and free radical scavengers play an important role in the regulation of melanin synthesis. We reported that certain plant extracts [12], essential oils [13,14] and microbial metabolites [15,16] exhibit dual antioxidant and anti-melanogenic activities
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