Melanogenesis In B16 Melanoma Cells Research Articles

Triterpene glycosides and other polar constituents of shea (Vitellaria paradoxa) kernels and their bioactivities

The MeOH extract of defatted shea (Vitellaria paradoxa; Sapotaceae) kernels was investigated for its constituents, and fifteen oleanane-type triterpene acids and glycosides, two steroid glucosides, two pentane-2,4-diol glucosides, seven phenolic compounds, and three sugars, were isolated. The structures of five triterpene glycosides were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic and chemical methods. Upon evaluation of the bioactivity of the isolated compounds, it was found that some or most of the compounds have potent or moderate inhibitory activities against the following: melanogenesis in B16 melanoma cells induced by α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH); generation of 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radicals, against Epstein–Barr virus early antigen (EBV-EA) activation induced by 12-O-teradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate (TPA) in Raji cells; t TPA-induced inflammation in mice, and proliferation of one or more of HL-60, A549, AZ521, and SK-BR-3 human cancer cell lines, respectively. Western blot analysis established that paradoxoside E inhibits melanogenesis by regulation of expression of microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF), tyrosinase, and tyrosinase-related protein-1 (TRP-1) and TRP-2. In addition, tieghemelin A was demonstrated to exhibit cytotoxic activity against A549 cells (IC50 13.5μM) mainly due to induction of apoptosis by flow cytometry. The extract of defatted shea kernels and its constituents may be, therefore, valuable as potential antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, skin-whitening, chemopreventive, and anticancer agents.

Effect of chlorogenic acid on melanogenesis of B16 melanoma cells.

Chlorogenic acid (CGA), the ester formed between caffeic acid and l-quinic acid, is a widespread phenolic compound. It is part of the human diet, found in foods such as coffee, apples, pears, etc. CGA is also was widely used in cosmetics, but the effects of CGA on melanogenesis are unknown. In this study, we analyzed the effects of CGA on cell proliferation, melanin content and tyrosinase of B16 murine melanoma cells. Additionally, the enzymatic reactions of CGA in B16 melanoma cells lytic solution were detected by UV spectrophotometry. Results showed CGA at 30 and 60 μM significantly suppresses cell proliferation. 8-MOP at 100 μM significantly promotes cell proliferation, but CGA can counter this. Incubated for 24 h, CGA (500 μM) improves melanogenesis while suppressing tyrosinase activity in B16 melanoma cells or 8-methoxypsoralen (8-MOP) co-incubated B16 melanoma cells. After 12 h, B16 melanoma cell treatment with CGA leads to an increase in melanin accumulation, however, after 48 h there is a decrease in melanin production which correlates broadly with a decrease in tyrosinase activity. CGA incubated with lytic solution 24 h turned brown at 37 °C. The formation of new products (with a maximum absorption at 295 nm) is associated with reduction of CGA (maximum absorption at 326 nm). Therefore, CGA has its two sidesroles in melanogenesis of B16 melanoma cells. CGA is a likely a substrate of melanin, but the metabolic product(s) of CGA may suppress melanogenesis in B16 melanoma cells by inhibiting tyrosinase activity.

ChemInform Abstract: Cytotoxic and Melanogenesis‐Inhibitory Activities of Limonoids from the Leaves of Azadirachta indica (Neem).

Abstractisolation, structure elucidation and evaluation of 17 limonoids, including the three novel ones (I), (II), (III), for their cytotoxic activities, their inhibitory activities against melanogenesis in B16 melanoma cells and against the Epstein—Barr virus early antigen

Synthesized quercetin derivatives stimulate melanogenesis in B16 melanoma cells by influencing the expression of melanin biosynthesis proteins MITF and p38 MAPK

In order to understand the effect of structure–activity relationships on melanogenesis using B16 melanoma cells, 19 quercetin derivatives were synthesized. Among the synthesized compounds, 3-O-methylquercetin (11) and 3′,4′,7-O-trimethylquercetin (14) increased melanin content more potently than the positive control theophylline, while exhibiting low cytotoxicity. Compound 11 exhibited less melanogenesis-stimulating activity than compound 14. However, 11 increased the expression of tyrosinase and tyrosinase-related protein 1 (TRP-1) to a greater extent than 14, thereby suggesting that melanogenesis in melanoma cells does not depend solely on the expression of the enzymes catalyzing melanin biosynthesis. Furthermore, 14 also stimulated the expression of the microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF) and p-p38 mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK), while they were not increased by 11. These results suggest that 11 may enhance the expression of tyrosinase and TRP-1 by regulating the proteasomal degradation of melanogenic enzymes and/or by activating other transcriptional factors regulating enzyme expression.

Limonoids from Azadirachta indica var. siamensis Extracts and Their Cytotoxic and Melanogenesis‐Inhibitory Activities

Six new limonoids, 7-benzoyl-17-epinimbocinol (5), 3-acetyl-7-tigloylnimbidinin (8), 1-isovaleroyl-1-detigloylsalanninolide (15), 2,3-dihydro-3α-methoxynimbolide (16), deacetyl-20,21-epoxy-20,22-dihydro-21-deoxyisonimbinolide (26), and deacetyl-20,21,22,23-tetrahydro-20,22-dihydroxy-21,23-dimethoxynimbin (27), along with 28 known limonoids, 1-4, 6, 7, 9-14, 17-25, and 28-34, and two known flavonoids, 35 and 36, have been isolated from the extracts of bark, leaves, roots, and seeds of Azadirachta indica A. Juss. var. siamensis Valeton (Siamese neem tree; Meliaceae). The structures of the new compounds were elucidated on the basis of extensive spectroscopic analysis and comparison with literature data. All of these compounds were evaluated for their cytotoxic activities against leukemia (HL60), lung (A549), stomach (AZ521), and breast (SK-BR-3) cancer cell lines. Eleven compounds, 1, 2, 4-7, 13, 16, 17, 29, and 30, exhibited potent cytotoxicities against one or more cell lines with IC50 values in the range of 0.1-9.3 μM. Compound 16 induced apoptotic cell death in AZ521 cells upon evaluation of the apoptosis-inducing activity by flow cytometric analysis. Western blot analysis on AZ521 cells revealed that compound 16 activated caspases-3, -8, and -9, while increasing the ratio of Bax/Bcl-2. This suggested that 16 induced apoptosis via both mitochondrial and death receptor pathways in AZ521. In addition, upon evaluation of all compounds against the melanogenesis in B16 melanoma cells induced with α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH), 20 limonoids, i.e., 1-3, 6, 9-11, 18, 19, 21-29, 32, and 34, and two flavonoids, 35 and 36, exhibited melanogenesis-inhibitory activities, with no, or almost no, toxicities to the cells at lower and/or higher concentrations, which were more potent than the reference arbutin, a known melanogenesis inhibitor. Western blot analysis showed that nimbin (18) reduced the protein levels of microphtalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF), tyrosinase, tyrosine-related protein 1 (TRP-1), and TRP-2 mostly in a concentration-dependent manner, indicating that 18 inhibits melanogenesis on a α-MSH-stimulated B16 melanoma cells by, at least in part, inhibiting the expression of MITF, followed by decreasing the expression of tyrosinase, TRP-1, and TRP-2.

The Effects of Salacia reticulata on Anti-Cellular Oxidants and Melanogenesis Inhibition in α-MSH-stimulated and UV Irradiated B16 Melanoma Cells

The purposes of this study were to investigate the inhibitory effects of Salacia reticulata Tul. root extract on cellular oxidants and melanogenesis in B16 melanoma cells. Cells treated with non-toxic doses of S. reticulata root extract were investigated for their effects on melanogenesis, cellular tyrosinase activity and cellular oxidant scavenging activity. The results indicated that S. reticulata extract inhibited melanin synthesis and tyrosinase activity in alpha-MSH-induced or UV-irradiated B16 melanoma cells in a dose dependent manner. Additionally, the extract also exhibited anti-cellular oxidants in UV-induced radical melanoma cells. Altogether, these results suggested that S. reticulata root extract has roles in suppression of melanogenesis and oxidant inhibition. S. reticulata root extract may be a potential source for the development of pharmaceutical products for treatment of skin hyperpigmentation disorders.

Cytotoxic and Melanogenesis‐Inhibitory Activities of Limonoids from the Leaves of Azadirachta indica (Neem)

Seventeen limonoids (tetranortriterpenoids), 1-17, including three new compounds, i.e., 17-defurano-17-(2,5-dihydro-2-oxofuran-3-yl)-28-deoxonimbolide (14), 17-defurano-17-(2ξ-2,5-dihydro-2-hydroxy-5-oxofuran-3-yl)-28-deoxonimbolide (15), and 17-defurano-17-(5ξ-2,5-dihydro-5-hydroxy-2-oxofuran-3-yl)-2',3'-dehydrosalannol (17), were isolated from an EtOH extract of the leaf of neem (Azadirachta indica). The structures of the new compounds were elucidated on the basis of extensive spectroscopic analyses and comparison with literature. Upon evaluation of the cytotoxic activities of these compounds against leukemia (HL60), lung (A549), stomach (AZ521), and breast (SK-BR-3) cancer cell lines, seven compounds, i.e., 1-3, 12, 13, 15, and 16, exhibited potent cytotoxicities with IC50 values in the range of 0.1-9.9 μM against one or more cell lines. Among these compounds, cytotoxicity of nimonol (1; IC50 2.8 μM) against HL60 cells was demonstrated to be mainly due to the induction of apoptosis by flow cytometry. Western blot analysis suggested that compound 1 induced apoptosis via both the mitochondrial and death receptor-mediated pathways in HL60 cells. In addition, when compounds 1-17 were evaluated for their inhibitory activities against melanogenesis in B16 melanoma cells, induced with α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH), seven compounds, 1, 2, 4-6, 15, and 16, exhibited inhibitory activities with 31-94% reduction of melanin content at 10 μM concentration with no or low toxicity to the cells (82-112% of cell viability at 10 μM). All 17 compounds were further evaluated for their inhibitory effects against the EpsteinBarr virus early antigen (EBV-EA) activation induced by 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) in Raji cells.

IFN‐γ inhibits basal and α‐MSH‐induced melanogenesis

Inflammatory cytokines are closely related to pigmentary changes. In this study, the effects of IFN-γ on melanogenesis were investigated. IFN-γ inhibits basal and α-MSH-induced melanogenesis in B16 melanoma cells and normal human melanocytes. MITF mRNA and protein expressions were significantly inhibited in response to IFN-γ. IFN-γ inhibited CREB binding to the MITF promoter but did not affect CREB phosphorylation. Instead, IFN-γ inhibited the association of CBP and CREB through the increased association between CREB binding protein (CBP) and STAT1. These findings suggest that IFN-γ inhibits both basal and α-MSH-induced melanogenesis by inhibiting MITF expression. The inhibitory action of IFN-γ in α-MSH-induced melanogenesis is likely to be associated with the sequestration of CBP via the association between CBP and STAT1. These data suggest that IFN-γ plays a role in controlling inflammation- or UV-induced pigmentary changes.

Poly-γ-glutamate from Bacillus subtilis inhibits tyrosinase activity and melanogenesis

Poly-γ-glutamate (γ-PGA) has been considered as one of the most promising biomaterials with a wide range of applications, but there has been no report that directly shows the anti-tyrosinase and anti-melanogenesis properties of γ-PGA. In the present study, we investigated the inhibitory effects of γ- PGA with low molecular weight (Mw; lγ-PGA) and high Mw (hγ-PGA) on mushroom tyrosinase and murine tyrosinase activities and on melanogenesis in B16 melanoma cells. First, we showed that both lγ-PGA and hγ-PGA could effectively inhibit mushroom tyrosinase activities including monophenolase and diphenolase activities in a dose-dependent manner. Second, both lγ-PGA and hγ-PGA showed strong anti-tyrosinase activity and anti-melanogenesis in B16 melanoma cells. Third, both lγ-PGA and hγ-PGA inhibited forskolin-induced tyrosinase activity and melanogenesis by decreasing the levels of intracellular reactive oxygen species and nitric oxide while increasing the catalase activity in B16 cells. This is the first report on the anti-melanogenesis effect of γ-PGA, which suggests that γ-PGA could have a potential in the cosmetic skin whitening business, therapeutic applications and the food industry.

Biological Activities of Phenolic Compounds and Triterpenoids from the Galls of Terminalia chebula

Nine phenolic compounds, including two phenolic carboxylic acids, 1 and 2, seven hydrolyzable tannins, 3-9, eight triterpenoids, including four oleanane-type triterpene acids, 10-13, and four of their glucosides, 14-17, isolated from a MeOH extract of the gall of Terminalia chebula Retz. (myrobalan tree; Combretaceae), were evaluated for their inhibitory activities against melanogenesis in B16 melanoma cells induced by α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH), against the Epstein-Barr virus early antigen (EBV-EA) activation induced by 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate (TPA) in Raji cells, and against TPA-induced inflammation in mice. Their 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical-scavenging activities and cytotoxic activities against four human cancer cell lines were also evaluated. Compounds 6-9 and 12 exhibited potent inhibitory activities against melanogenesis (39.3-66.3% melanin content) with low toxicity to the cells (74.5-105.9% cell viability) at a concentration of 10 μM. Western-blot analysis revealed that isoterchebulin (8) reduced the protein levels of MITF (=microphtalmia-associated transcription factor), tyrosinase, and TRP-1 (=tyrosine-related protein 1), mostly in a concentration-dependent manner. Eight triterpenoids, 10-17, showed potent inhibitory effects on EBV-EA induction with the IC50 values in the range of 269-363 mol ratio/32 pmol TPA, while these compounds exhibited no DPPH scavenging activities (IC50 >100 μM). On the other hand, the nine phenolic compounds, 1-9, exhibited potent radical-scavenging activities (IC50 1.4-10.9 μM) with weak inhibitory effects on EBV-EA induction (IC50 460-518 mol ratio/32 pmol TPA). The tannin 6 and seven triterpenoids, 10-16, have been shown to inhibit TPA-induced inflammation (1 μg/ear) in mice with the ID50 values in the range of 0.06-0.33 μmol/ear. Arjungenin (10) exhibited inhibitory effect on skin-tumor promotion in an in vivo two-stage mouse-skin carcinogenesis test based on 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA) as initiator and with TPA as promoter. Compounds 1, 2, 4, 5, 7-9, 12, and 13, against HL60 cell line, compounds 1 and 4, against AZ521 cell line, and compounds 1, 11, and 12, against SK-BR-3 cell line, showed moderate cytotoxic activities (IC50 13.9-73.2 μM).

Antioxidative, and Inhibitory Activities on Melanogenesis of Vitex negundo L. Leaf Extract

The aim of this study was to evaluate various aspects of Vitex negundo L. leaf extract, such as the antioxidative activity, tyrosinase inhibitory effects, and inhibitory activities on -MSH induced melanogenesis, and active component analysis. The DPPH (1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) scavenging activities () of the ethyl acetate fraction and aglycone fraction of V. negundo L. leaf extract were and , respectively. A luminol-dependent chemiluminescence assay revealed that the reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging activity () of the aglycone fraction of V. negundo L. leaf extract on ROS generated in an - system was the most prominent at . The protective effects of the extracts fractions of V. negundo L. leaf against the rose-bengal sensitized photohemolysis of human erythrocytes were increased in a concentration dependent manner (). In particular, there were greater protective effects of the aglycone fraction on the cellular membrane than that of the fat-soluble antioxidant (+)--tocopherol. The inhibitory effects () on mushroom tyrosinase were the highest for the ethyl acetate fraction ( = ). The inhibitory effect on -MSH induced melanogenesis in B16 melanoma cells was 41.80% at of ethyl acetate fraction. Active component analyses by TLC, HPLC and LC/ESI-MS revealed luteolin and isoorientin. These results indicate that V. negundo L. leaf extract can be used as an antioxidant for ROS scavenging. Particularly, the luteolin and isoorientin of the ethyl acetate fraction may be applicable to new whitening cosmetics because of its inhibitory effect on mushroom tyrosinase and -MSH induced melanogenesis in B16 melanoma cells.

Melanogenesis‐Inhibitory Activity of Aromatic Glycosides from the Stem Bark of Acer buergerianum

A new benzyl glucoside, 3-O-demethylnikoenoside (1), along with eleven known compounds, including seven aromatic glycosides, 2-8, three lignans, 9-11, and one cyclitol, 12, were isolated from the BuOH-soluble fraction of a MeOH extract of Acer buergerianum stem bark. The structures of the new compound were elucidated on the basis of extensive spectroscopic analyses and comparison with literature. Upon evaluation of compounds 1-12 on melanogenesis in B16 melanoma cells induced with α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH), three compounds, i.e., hovetrichoside B (8), pinoresinol 4-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (9), and pinoresinol 4-O-β-D-apiofuranosyl-(1→2)-β-D-glucopyranoside (10), have been found to exhibit inhibitory effects with 41-49% melanin content compared to the control at 100 μM and low cytotoxicity to the cells (81-92% cell viability at 100 μM). Western blot analysis showed that compound 8 reduced the protein levels of MITF (=microphtalmia-associated transcription factor) and tyrosinase, in a concentration-dependent manner, suggesting that 8 inhibits melanogenesis in α-MSH-stimulated B16 melanoma cells by, at least in part, inhibiting the expression of MITF, followed by decreasing the expression of tyrosinase. On the other hand, upon Western blotting, compound 9 was found to reduce the protein levels of tyrosinase and TRP-2, while it increased MITF and TRP-1 (=tyrosine-related protein 1), in a concentration-dependent manner, indicating that 9 inhibits melanogenesis in α-MSH-stimulated B16 melanoma cells by, at least in part, inhibiting the expression of tyrosinase and TRP-2.

Cyclohexanediol Bis-Ethylhexanoate Inhibits Melanogenesis of Murine B16 Melanoma and UV-Induced Pigmentation in Human Skin

The role of cyclohexane diester analogues in the formation of melanin has been recently reported. In the present study, we investigated the inhibitory effect of cyclohexanediol bis-ethylhexanoate (CHEH) on melanogenesis in B16 melanoma cells and on UV-B-induced pigmentation in human skin. CHEH significantly reduced the melanin content in a dose-dependent manner, without cytotoxic effects at the effective concentrations. Moreover, CHEH dose-dependently inhibited tyrosinase activity in B16 melanoma cells, as confirmed by Western blot analysis of the tyrosinase protein levels. However, tyrosinase transcript levels remained unchanged under the same experimental conditions. These results indicate that CHEH inhibited melanogenesis in B16 melanoma cells by regulating tyrosinase activity at the post-transcriptional level. On the other hand, in a cell-free system, CHEH did not inhibit tyrosinase activity. This indicated that CHEH suppressed the pigmentation of melanocytes by indirectly regulating tyrosinase activity. Finally, in a clinical trial, a cream containing 1.0% CHEH showed good whitening effect on UV-induced pigmented human skin without adverse effects. In conclusion, we suggest that CHEH may be an effective inhibitor of melanogenesis and useful effects in the treatment of hyperpigmented disorders.

Anti-Melanogenesis Effect ofGlechoma hederaceaL. Extract on B16 Murine Melanoma Cells

Glechoma hederacea L. (Labiatae) has been used in folk medicine to treat various ailments for centuries. We investigated the effects of G. hederacea extract on melanogenesis in B16 melanoma cells. It significantly reduced both the cellular melanin content and tyrosinase activity in a concentration-dependent manner. An MTT assay did not reveal any obvious cytotoxicity. Furthermore, we found that G. hederacea extract decreased tyrosinase and microphthalmia-associated transcription factor protein expression, but did not inhibit tyrosinase-related protein-1 and tyrosinase-related protein-2 expression. RT-PCR analysis indicated that the antimelanogenic effect of G. hederacea extract might be due to inhibition of tyrosinase gene transcription. Moreover, this effect is regulated via suppression of microphthalmia-associated transcription factor protein expression. Our data indicate that G. hederacea extract inhibits melanin synthesis in B16 melanoma cells but is not cytotoxic. Hence it might prove a useful therapeutic agent for treating hyperpigmentation and an effective component of whitening cosmetics.

Melanogenesis Inhibitory Activity of Monoterpene Glycosides from Gardeniae Fructus

A new iridoid glycoside, 10-O-(4"-O-methylsuccinoyl)geniposide (7), and two new pyronane glycosides, jasminosides Q and R (13 and 14, resp.), along with nine known iridoid glycosides, 1-6 and 8-10, and two known pyronane glycosides, 11 and 12, were isolated from a MeOH extract of Gardeniae Fructus, the dried ripe fruit of Gardenia jasminoides (Rubiaceae). The structures of new compounds were elucidated on the basis of extensive spectroscopic analyses and comparison with literature. Upon evaluation of compounds 1-14 on the melanogenesis in B16 melanoma cells induced with α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH), three compounds, i.e., 6-O-p-coumaroylgeniposide (3), 7, and 6'-O-sinapoyljasminoside (12), exhibited inhibitory effects with 21.6-41.0 and 37.5-47.7% reduction of melanin content at 30 and 50 μM, respectively, with almost no toxicity to the cells (83.7-106.1% of cell viability at 50 μM).

Melanogenesis‐Inhibitory and Cytotoxic Activities of Diarylheptanoids from Acer nikoense Bark and Their Derivatives

Nine cyclic diarylheptanoids, 1-9, including two new compounds, i.e., 9-oxoacerogenin A (8) and 9-O-β-D-glucopyranosylacerogenin K (9), along with three acyclic diarylheptanoids, 10-12, and four phenolic compounds, 13-16, were isolated from a MeOH extract of the bark of Acer nikoense (Aceraceae). Acid hydrolysis of 9 yielded acerogenin K (17) and D-glucose. Two of the cyclic diarylheptanoids, acerogenin A (1) and (R)-acerogenin B (5), were converted to their ether and ester derivatives, 18-24 and 27-33, respectively, and to the dehydrated derivatives, 25, 26, 34, and 35. Upon evaluation of compounds 1-16 and 18-35 for their inhibitory activities against melanogenesis in B16 melanoma cells, induced with α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH), eight natural glycosides, i.e., six diarylheptanoid glycosides, 2-4, 6, 9, and 12, and two phenolic glycosides, 15 and 16, exhibited inhibitory activities with 24-61% reduction of melanin content at 100 μM concentration with no or almost no toxicity to the cells (88-106% of cell viability at 100 μM). In addition, when compounds 1-16 and 18-35 were evaluated for cytotoxic activity against human cancer cell lines, two natural acyclic diarylheptanoids, 10 and 11, ten ether and ester derivatives, 18-22 and 27-31, and two dehydrated derivatives, 34 and 35, exhibited potent cytotoxicities against HL60 human leukemia cell line (IC(50) 8.1-19.3 μM), and five compounds, 10, 11, 20, 29, and 30, against CRL1579 human melanoma cell line (IC(50) 10.1-18.4 μM).

Melanogenesis Inhibitory Activity of Sesquiterpenes from Canarium ovatum Resin in Mouse B16 Melanoma Cells

Four known sesquiterpene alcohols, i.e., 1-4, ten triterpene alcohols, i.e., 5-14, and four triterpene acids, i.e., 15-18, were isolated from the MeOH extract of Canarium ovatum resin (elemi resin). Upon evaluation of the previously described compounds 1-18 on the melanogenesis in B16 melanoma cells induced with α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH), three sesquiterpene alcohols, i.e., cryptomeridiol (1), 4-epicryptomeridiol (2), and cadin-1(14)-ene-7α,11-diol (4), exhibited inhibitory effects with 27.4-34.1 and 39.0-56.9% reduction of melanin content at 50 and 100 μM, respectively, with no or very low toxicity to the cells (80.9-103.9% of cell viability at 100 μM). Western-blot analysis revealed that compounds 1 and 2 reduced the protein levels of MITF (=microphtalmia-associated transcription factor), tyrosinase, and TRP-2 (=tyrosine-related protein 2), mostly in a concentration-dependent manner, suggesting that these compounds exhibit melanogenesis inhibitory activity on α-MSH-stimulated B16 melanoma cells by, at least in part, inhibiting the expression of MITF, followed by decreasing the expression of tyrosinase and TRP-2. Three sesquiterpene alcohols, i.e., 1, 2, and 4, are, therefore, considered to be valuable as potential skin-whitening agents.

Guggulsterone inhibits melanogenesis in B16 murine melanoma cells by downregulating tyrosinase expression

In the present study, we investigated the effect of guggulsterone on melanogenesis in B16 melanoma cells and elucidated its possible mechanism of action. The effects of guggulsterone on melanogenesis were determined by assaying melanin synthesis and cellular tyrosinase activity in B16/F10 mouse melanoma cells. Guggulsterone dose-dependently inhibited isobutylmethylxanthine (IBMX)-induced melanogenesis and cellular tyrosinase activity with no cytotoxicity. Decreased melanin biosynthesis was accompanied by the reduced expression of melanogenesis-related genes, such as tyrosinase, microphthalmia-associated transcription factor, tyrosinase-related protein (TRP)-1 and TRP-2. Guggulsterone also inhibited α-melanocyte stimulating hormone- or forskolin-induced increases in melanogenesis, suggesting an action on the cAMP-dependent melanogenic pathway. Co-incubation with chenodeoxycholic acid, a well-known farnesoid-X receptor agonist, did not affect IBMX-induced melanogenesis. These results suggest that guggulsterone exerts a melanogenic inhibitory effect through the downregulation of tyrosinase expression.

Glycosidic Inhibitors of Melanogenesis from Leaves of Momordica charantia

Eight glycosidic compounds, 1-8, including two new compounds, (4ξ)-α-terpineol 8-O-[α-L-arabinopyranosyl-(1→6)-β-D-glucopyranoside] (5) and myrtenol 10-O-[β-D-apiofuranosyl-(1→6)-β-D-glucopyranoside] (7), were isolated from the BuOH-soluble fraction of a MeOH extract of Momordica charantia leaves. The structures of the new compounds were elucidated on the basis of extensive spectroscopic analyses and comparison with literature. Upon evaluation of compounds 1-8 on the melanogenesis in B16 melanoma cells induced with α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH), these compounds were found to exhibit inhibitory activities with 7.1-27.0% and 23.6-46.4% reduction of melanin content at 30 μM and 100 μM, respectively, with no or almost no toxicity to the cells (80.0-103.5% of cell viability at 100 μM). Western blot analysis showed that compound 7 reduced the protein levels of MITF, tyrosinase, TRP-1, and TRP-2 mostly in a concentration-dependent manner, suggesting that this compound inhibits melanogenesis on the α-MSH-stimulated B16 melanoma cells by, at least in part, inhibiting the expression of MITF, followed by decreasing the expression of tyrosinase, TRP-1, and TRP-2.

Melanogenesis‐Inhibitory Saccharide Fatty Acid Esters and Other Constituents of the Fruits of Morinda citrifolia (Noni)

Five new saccharide fatty acid esters, named nonioside P (3), nonioside Q (4), nonioside R (8), nonioside S (10), and nonioside T (14), and one new succinic acid ester, butyl 2-hydroxysuccinate (=4-butoxy-3-hydroxy-4-oxobutanoic acid) (31), were isolated, along with 26 known compounds, including eight saccharide fatty acid esters, 1, 2, 5, 6, 7, 9, 12, and 13, three hemiterpene glycosides, 15, 17, and 18, six iridoid glycosides, 21-25, and 27, and nine other compounds, 20, 28, 29, and 32-37, from a MeOH extract of the fruit of Morinda citrifolia (noni). Upon evaluation of these and five other glycosidic compounds, 11, 16, 19, 26, and 30, from M. citrifolia fruit extract for their inhibitory activities against melanogenesis in B16 melanoma cells induced with α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH), most of the saccharide fatty acid esters, hemiterpene glycosides, and iridoid glycosides showed inhibitory effects with no or almost no toxicity to the cells. These compounds were further evaluated with respect to their cytotoxic activities against two human cancer cell lines (HL-60 and AZ521) and their inhibitory effects on Epstein-Barr virus early antigen (EBV-EA) activation induced with 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) in Raji cells.