title: Supercritical fluid extract of Lycium chinense Miller root inhibition of melanin production and its potential mechanisms of action.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The mode of action of Lycium chinense Miller root extract in skin care has never been explored. In the present study, Lycium chinense Miller root was extracted by the supercritical fluid CO2 extraction method.
  
  
  METHODS
  In the present study, the components of the root extract were analyzed by HPLC. The effects of the extract on tyrosinase activity and melanin content were determined spectrophotometrically; the expression of melanogenesis-related proteins was determined by Western blotting; the possible signaling pathways involved in the root extract-mediated depigmentation were also investigated using specific inhibitors.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The results revealed that the SFE of Lycium chinense Miller root (2.37-7.11 mg/mL) effectively suppressed intracellular tyrosinase activity and decreased the melanin content in B16F10 cells. The root extract also effectively decreased intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels. Furthermore, the root extract decreased the expression of melanocortin 1 receptor (MC1R), microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF), tyrosinase and tyrosinase-related protein-1 (TRP-1) and then inhibited melanogenesis in B16F10 cells. The root extract also showed antioxidant capacities and depleted cellular ROS.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results indicate that the SFE of Lycium chinense Miller root inhibited melanogenesis in B16F10 cells by down-regulation of both mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) and protein kinase A (PKA) signaling pathways or through its antioxidant properties.
authors: Huey-Chun
authors: HC
authors: Huang
authors: Wen-Ying
authors: WY
authors: Huang
authors: Tsang-Chi
authors: TC
authors: Tsai
authors: Wan-Yu
authors: WY
authors: Hsieh
authors: Wang-Ping
authors: WP
authors: Ko
authors: Kuei-Jen
authors: KJ
authors: Chang
authors: Department of Applied Cosmetology & Master Program of Cosmetic Sciences, HungKuang University, No, 1018, Sec, 6, Taiwan Boulevard, Shalu Dist, Taichung City 43302, Taiwan. ctm@sunrise.hk.edu.tw.
authors: Tsong-Min
authors: TM
authors: Chang
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D063646:Carcinogenesis / Q000187:drug effects; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D025924:Chromatography, Supercritical Fluid / Q000379:methods; D032305:Lycium / Q000737:chemistry*; D008543:Melanins / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D008546:Melanoma, Experimental / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism; D020928:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / Q000378:metabolism; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018517:Plant Roots / Q000737:chemistry; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000378:metabolism; D015398:Signal Transduction
chemical_list: D008543:Melanins; D010936:Plant Extracts; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D020928:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases