Inhibition of melanin production by a combination of Siberian larch and pomegranate fruit extracts.
In an effort to find botanicals containing polyphenolic compounds with the capacity to inhibit melanin biosynthesis, we identified a novel combination of Siberian larch (Larix sibirica) extract, standardized to 80% taxifolin, and pomegranate fruit (Punica granatum) extract, containing 20% punicalagins, that demonstrates a synergistic reduction of melanin biosynthesis in Melan-a cells. The combination of Siberian larch and pomegranate extracts (1:1) produced a 2-fold reduction in melanin content compared to Siberian larch or pomegranate extracts alone with no corresponding effect on cell viability. Siberian larch and pomegranate fruit extracts inhibited expression of melanocyte specific genes, tyrosinase (Tyr), microphthalmia transcription factor (Mitf), and melanosome structural proteins (Pmel17 and Mart1) but did not inhibit tyrosinase enzyme activity. These results suggest that the mechanism of inhibition of melanin biosynthesis by Siberian larch and pomegranate extracts, alone and in combination, is through downregulation of melanocyte specific genes and not due to inhibition of tyrosinase enzyme activity.
Analytical Sciences, Amway Corporation, Ada, MI 49355, USA. ganesh.diwakar@amway.com
Ganesh
G
Diwakar
Jatinder
J
Rana
Jeffrey D
JD
Scholten
D002460:Cell Line; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D015536:Down-Regulation; D004338:Drug Combinations; D004357:Drug Synergism; D005638:Fruit; D015870:Gene Expression / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D047348:Hydrolyzable Tannins / Q000494:pharmacology*; D028221:Larix / Q000737:chemistry*; D029561:Lythraceae / Q000737:chemistry*; D058965:MART-1 Antigen / Q000378:metabolism; D008543:Melanins / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D008544:Melanocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D058950:Melanoma-Specific Antigens / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D014442:Monophenol Monooxygenase / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011794:Quercetin / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D058951:gp100 Melanoma Antigen
D004338:Drug Combinations; D047348:Hydrolyzable Tannins; D058965:MART-1 Antigen; D008543:Melanins; D058950:Melanoma-Specific Antigens; C548637:PMEL protein, human; D010936:Plant Extracts; D014157:Transcription Factors; D058951:gp100 Melanoma Antigen; C115642:punicalagin; D011794:Quercetin; C003377:taxifolin; D014442:Monophenol Monooxygenase