title: 2,3,5,6-Tetramethylpyrazine of Ephedra sinica regulates melanogenesis and inflammation in a UVA-induced melanoma/keratinocytes co-culture system.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  2,3,5,6-Tetramethylpyrazine (TMP) is known as a composition of Ephedra sinica and it has been used in the treatment of several disorders such as asthma, heart failure, rhinitis, and urinary incontinence. It has been reported that TMP inhibits melanoma metastasis and suppression angiogenesis by VEGF.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The inhibitory activity of melanogenic proteins by TMP was confirmed in UVA-induced melanoma/keratinocyte co-culture system in this paper.
  
  
  METHODS
  The melanin content, cell viability and cytokines release such as TNFα, IL-1β, IL-8 and GM-CSF were measured by ELISA assay. In addition, TRP1, MITF and MAPK signaling protein expression were also evaluated by Western blotting analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Decreasing melanogenic factors (TRP1, MITF, and MAPK) and factors (TNFα, IL-1β, IL-8, and GM-CSF) improving skin cancer and inflammation were identified.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  It suggests that TMP can serve as a potent candidate for regulation of melanogenesis.
authors: Skin Science, R&D Center, iPEERES Cosmetics Ltd., 104, Je2gongdan 1-gil, Miyang-myeon, Anseong-si, Gyeonggi-do 456-843, Republic of Korea. Electronic address: goya@khu.ac.kr.
authors: Gyoseon Goya M
authors: GG
authors: Yeom
authors: Laboratory of Microbiology, INOMAX, 16, Goji 5-gil, Jeongnam-myeon, Hwaseong-si, Gyeonggi-do, 445-962, Republic of Korea. Electronic address: inochall@naver.com.
authors: Seona
authors: S
authors: Min
authors: Gachon Univ. of Medicine and Science, 191, Hambangmoe-ro, Yeonsu-gu, Incheon, 406-799 Korea. Electronic address: sunnykim@gachon.ac.kr.
authors: Sun Yeou
authors: SY
authors: Kim
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002460:Cell Line; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D018920:Coculture Techniques; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism; D029790:Ephedra sinica; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000378:metabolism; D015603:Keratinocytes / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000528:radiation effects; D008543:Melanins / Q000378:metabolism*; D008546:Melanoma, Experimental / Q000378:metabolism*; D051379:Mice; D014442:Monophenol Monooxygenase / Q000378:metabolism; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000378:metabolism; D011719:Pyrazines / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; D008543:Melanins; D011719:Pyrazines; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D014442:Monophenol Monooxygenase; C017953:tetramethylpyrazine
keywords: Ephedra sinica; Inflammation; Melanogenesis; Melanoma/keratinocyte co-culture; Tetramethylpyrazine