title: Saponified evening primrose oil reduces melanogenesis in B16 melanoma cells and reduces UV-induced skin pigmentation in humans.
abstract: This study was conducted to determine whether saponified evening primrose oil (sap-EPO) has the potential for use as a whitening agent and to investigate its underlying mechanisms of action. In B16 melanoma cells, sap-EPO dose-dependently inhibited isobutylmethylxanthine-induced melanogenesis with no cytotoxicity. This decrease in melanin production was correlated with reduced enzyme activity and decreased mRNA and protein levels of tyrosinase. The mRNA levels of tyrosinase-related proteins 1 and 2 decreased in response to treatment with sap-EPO, indicating that it regulated tyrosinase at the transcriptional level. Expression of microphthalmia-associated transcription factor was also decreased by sap-EPO as evidenced by decreased mRNA and protein levels. Additionally, topical application of sap-EPO resulted in efficient whitening of UVB-induced hyperpigmentation of human skin. Taken together, these results suggest that sap-EPO has the potential for use as a cosmetic whitening agent.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, Medical School and Diabetes Research Center, Chonbuk National University, Jeonju, Jeonbuk 561-756, Korea.
authors.forename: Jeung-Hyun
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Koo
authors.forename: Ikjae
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Seok-Kweon
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Yun
authors.forename: Han-Uk
authors.initials: HU
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Byung-Hyun
authors.initials: BH
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Jin-Woo
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Park
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015153:Blotting, Western; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D015536:Down-Regulation; D006801:Humans; D008543:Melanins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D008546:Melanoma, Experimental; D008571:Men; D051379:Mice; D014442:Monophenol Monooxygenase / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D031665:Oenothera biennis / Q000737:chemistry*; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010938:Plant Oils / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy; D012880:Skin Pigmentation / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000528:radiation effects; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays
chemical_list: D008543:Melanins; D010938:Plant Oils; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D014442:Monophenol Monooxygenase