title: Acanthoic acid inhibits melanogenesis through tyrosinase downregulation and melanogenic gene expression in B16 melanoma cells.
abstract: The aim of this study was to investigate the in vitro inhibitory effects of acanthoic acid (ACAN), isolated from Acanthopanax koreanum, on melanogenesis and its related enzymes such as tyrosinase, tyrosinase-related protein (TRP)-1, and TRP-2 in B16 melanoma cells. We found that ACAN significantly attenuates melanin synthesis and reduces the activity of intracellular tyrosinase, the rate-limiting melanogenic enzyme. Western blot analysis showed that ACAN also decreases tyrosinase, TRP-1, and TRP-2 protein expression. In addition, ACAN significantly decreased the expression of microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF), a key regulator of melanogenesis. These results indicate that ACAN effectively inhibits melanin biosynthesis through down-regulation of MITF and thus could be useful as a new skin-whitening agent.
authors.affiliation: Jeju Biodiversity Research Institute, Jeju Technopark, Jeju 699-943, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Weon-Jong
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Yoon
authors.affiliation: Jeju Biodiversity Research Institute, Jeju Technopark, Jeju 699-943, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Young-Min
authors.initials: YM
authors.lastname: Ham
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, Center for Cosmetic Science, Jeju National University, Jeju 690-756, Korea.
authors.forename: Hun Seok
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Yoon
authors.affiliation: Jeju Biodiversity Research Institute, Jeju Technopark, Jeju 699-943, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Wook-Jae
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, Center for Cosmetic Science, Jeju National University, Jeju 690-756, Korea.
authors.forename: Nam Ho
authors.initials: NH
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, Center for Cosmetic Science, Jeju National University, Jeju 690-756, Korea.
authors.forename: Chang-Gu
authors.initials: CG
authors.lastname: Hyun
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004224:Diterpenes / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015536:Down-Regulation / Q000187:drug effects; D028001:Eleutherococcus / Q000737:chemistry*; D015870:Gene Expression / Q000187:drug effects; D008543:Melanins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D008544:Melanocytes / Q000187:drug effects*; D008546:Melanoma, Experimental; D051379:Mice; D014442:Monophenol Monooxygenase / Q000378:metabolism; D062327:Skin Lightening Preparations / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D004224:Diterpenes; D008543:Melanins; D062327:Skin Lightening Preparations; C099958:acanthoic acid; D014442:Monophenol Monooxygenase