title: The inhibitory effect of a Platycodon root extract on ultraviolet B-induced pigmentation due to a decrease in Kit expression.
abstract: The signaling of stem cell factor (SCF) through its receptor Kit is known to play an important role in regulating cutaneous melanogenesis. In the course of UVB-induced pigmentation, the expression of membrane-bound SCF by epidermal keratinocytes is upregulated at an early phase and subsequently activates neighboring melanocytes via their Kit receptors. In order to identify effective skin-lightening materials, we screened botanical extracts to determine their abilities to diminish Kit expression in melanocytes. A Platycodon root extract was consequently found to have a remarkable inhibitory activity on Kit expression. When the extract was applied to three-dimensional human skin substitutes in vitro and to human skin in vivo after UVB irradiation, their pigmentation was significantly reduced, confirming the substantial contribution of the suppression of SCF/Kit signaling to preventing or inhibiting melanin synthesis. These data demonstrate that a Platycodon root extract is a promising material for a skin-lightening product to improve pigmentation-related diseases.
authors.affiliation: Biological Science Laboratories, Kao Corporation, Haga, Tochigi, 321-3497, Japan.
authors.forename: Shinya
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kasamatsu
authors.forename: Akira
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hachiya
authors.forename: Yoshie
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Shimotoyodome
authors.forename: Akiyo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kameyama
authors.forename: Yuki
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Miyauchi
authors.forename: Kazuhiko
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Higuchi
authors.forename: Taketoshi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Fujimori
authors.forename: Atsushi
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ohuchi
authors.forename: Yusuke
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Shibuya
authors.forename: Takashi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kitahara
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D006801:Humans; D008544:Melanocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D018517:Plant Roots / Q000737:chemistry; D031238:Platycodon; D019009:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit / Q000378:metabolism*; D062327:Skin Lightening Preparations / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012880:Skin Pigmentation / Q000187:drug effects*; D019089:Stem Cell Factor / Q000494:pharmacology; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays
chemical_list: D010936:Plant Extracts; D062327:Skin Lightening Preparations; D019089:Stem Cell Factor; D019009:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit