title: Madecassoside inhibits melanin synthesis by blocking ultraviolet-induced inflammation.
abstract: Madecassoside (MA), a pentacyclic triterpene isolated from Centella asitica (L.), is used as a therapeutic agent in wound healing and also as an anti-inflammatory and anti-aging agent. However, the involvement of MA in skin-pigmentation has not been reported. This study was conducted to investigate the effects of MA on ultraviolet (UV)-induced melanogenesis and mechanisms in a co-culture system of keratinocytes and melanocytes. MA significantly inhibited UVR-induced melanin synthesis and melanosome transfer in the co-culture system. These effects were further demonstrated by the MA-induced inhibition of protease-activated receptor-2 expression and its signaling pathway, cyclooxygenase-2, prostaglandin E2 and prostaglandin F2 alpha in keratinocytes. The clinical efficacy of MA was confirmed on artificially tanned human skin. MA significantly reduced UV-induced melanin index at 8 weeks after topical application. Overall, the study demonstrated significant benefits of MA use in the inhibition of hyperpigmentation caused by UV irradiation.
authors.forename: Eunsun
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Jung
authors.forename: Jung-A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Seoungwoo
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Shin
authors.forename: Kyung-Baeg
authors.initials: KB
authors.lastname: Roh
authors.forename: Jang-Hyun
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Biospectrum Life Science Institute, Eines Platz 11th FL, 442-13 Sangdaewon Dong, Seongnam City, 462-807 Gyunggi Do, Korea. pdh@biospectrum.com.
authors.forename: Deokhoon
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Park
mesh_terms: D053898:Biosynthetic Pathways / Q000187:drug effects*; D018920:Coculture Techniques; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D015237:Dinoprost / Q000096:biosynthesis; D015232:Dinoprostone / Q000096:biosynthesis; D004817:Epidermis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D015603:Keratinocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D008543:Melanins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D008544:Melanocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D010587:Phagocytosis / Q000187:drug effects; D014315:Triterpenes / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays / Q000009:adverse effects*
chemical_list: D008543:Melanins; D014315:Triterpenes; D015237:Dinoprost; C093443:madecassoside; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2; D015232:Dinoprostone