title: Asiaticoside, a component of Centella asiatica, inhibits melanogenesis in B16F10 mouse melanoma.
abstract: Melanogenesis is the process of generating pigmentation via melanin synthesis and delivery. Three key enzymes, tyrosinase, tyrosinase-related protein 1 (TRP1) and TRP2, metabolize melanin from L-tyrosine. Melanin synthesizing enzymes are regulated by microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF). The titrated extract of Centella asiatica (TECA) contains the major components asiatic acid, asiaticoside and madecassic acid. The present study revealed that TECA reduces the melanin content in melanocytes. Moreover, the asiaticoside contained in TECA modulated melanogenesis by inhibiting tyrosinase mRNA expression. The decrease in tyrosinase mRNA levels was mediated through MITF. Uniquely, asiaticoside inhibited MITF by decreasing its DNA binding affinity. In conclusion, the results of the present study indicate that asiaticoside treatment may have beneficial effects in hyperpigmentation diseases or for skin whitening.
authors.affiliation: Korea Institute for Skin and Clinical Sciences and Molecular‑Targeted Drug Research Center, Konkuk University, Seoul 143‑701, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Ku Jung
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Kwon
authors.affiliation: Korea Institute for Skin and Clinical Sciences and Molecular‑Targeted Drug Research Center, Konkuk University, Seoul 143‑701, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Seunghee
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bae
authors.affiliation: Korea Institute for Skin and Clinical Sciences and Molecular‑Targeted Drug Research Center, Konkuk University, Seoul 143‑701, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Karam
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Korea Institute for Skin and Clinical Sciences and Molecular‑Targeted Drug Research Center, Konkuk University, Seoul 143‑701, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: In Sook
authors.initials: IS
authors.lastname: An
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Konkuk University School of Medicine, Seoul 143‑701, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Kyu Joong
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Ahn
authors.affiliation: Korea Institute for Skin and Clinical Sciences and Molecular‑Targeted Drug Research Center, Konkuk University, Seoul 143‑701, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Sungkwan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: An
authors.affiliation: Korea Institute for Skin and Clinical Sciences and Molecular‑Targeted Drug Research Center, Konkuk University, Seoul 143‑701, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Hwa Jun
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Cha
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D028041:Centella / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D004247:DNA / Q000378:metabolism; D015536:Down-Regulation / Q000187:drug effects; D008543:Melanins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D008544:Melanocytes / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D008546:Melanoma, Experimental / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D051379:Mice; D051739:Microphthalmia-Associated Transcription Factor / Q000378:metabolism; D014442:Monophenol Monooxygenase / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D011485:Protein Binding; D014315:Triterpenes / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D008543:Melanins; D051739:Microphthalmia-Associated Transcription Factor; D014315:Triterpenes; D004247:DNA; D014442:Monophenol Monooxygenase; C004446:asiaticoside