Arthrophytum scoparium inhibits melanogenesis through the down-regulation of tyrosinase and melanogenic gene expressions in B16 melanoma cells.
Melanin performs a crucial role in protecting the skin against harmful ultraviolet light. However, hyperpigmentation may lead to aesthetic problems and disorders such as solar lentigines (SL), melasma, postinflammatory hyperpigmentation and even melanoma. Arthrophytum scoparium grows in the desert in the North African region, and given this type of environment, A. scoparium exhibits adaptations for storing water and produces useful bioactive factors. In this study, the effect of A. scoparium ethanol extract (ASEE) on melanogenesis regulation in B16 murine melanoma cells was investigated. Cells treated with 0.017% (w/v) ASEE showed a significant inhibition of melanin biosynthesis in a time-dependent manner without cytotoxicity. To clarify the mechanism behind the ASEE-treated melanogenesis regulation, the expressions of tyrosinase enzyme and melanogenesis-related genes were determined. Results showed that the expression of tyrosinase enzyme was significantly decreased and Tyr, Trp-1, Mitf and Mc1R mRNA expressions were significantly down-regulated. LC-ESI-TOF-MS analysis of the extract identified the presence of six phenolic compounds: coumaric acid, cinnamic acid, chrysoeriol, cyanidin, catechol and caffeoylquinic acid. The melanogenesis inhibitory effect of ASEE may therefore be attributed to its catechol and tetrahydroisoquinoline derivative content. We report here that ASEE can inhibit melanogenesis in a time-dependent manner by decreasing the tyrosinase protein and Tyr, Trp-1, Mitf and Mc1R mRNA expressions. This is the first report on the antimelanogenesis effect of A. scoparium and on its potential as a whitening agent.
Graduate School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan.
Hui-Chia
HC
Chao
Hanen
H
Najjaa
Myra O
MO
Villareal
Riadh
R
Ksouri
Junkyu
J
Han
Mohamed
M
Neffati
Hiroko
H
Isoda
D000199:Actins / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D029748:Caryophyllaceae / Q000737:chemistry*; D002396:Catechols / Q000494:pharmacology; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D015971:Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D007370:Interferon Type I / Q000378:metabolism; D008543:Melanins / Q000378:metabolism; D008544:Melanocytes / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects; D008546:Melanoma, Experimental; D051379:Mice; D051739:Microphthalmia-Associated Transcription Factor / Q000378:metabolism; D014442:Monophenol Monooxygenase / Q000378:metabolism*; D010636:Phenols / Q000494:pharmacology; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011257:Pregnancy Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D044102:Receptor, Melanocortin, Type 1 / Q000378:metabolism; D044005:Tetrahydroisoquinolines / Q000494:pharmacology
D000199:Actins; D002396:Catechols; D007370:Interferon Type I; D008543:Melanins; D051739:Microphthalmia-Associated Transcription Factor; C497235:Mitf protein, mouse; D010636:Phenols; D010936:Plant Extracts; D011257:Pregnancy Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D044102:Receptor, Melanocortin, Type 1; D044005:Tetrahydroisoquinolines; C020947:interferon tau; D014442:Monophenol Monooxygenase; C034221:catechol