title: Berberine regulates melanin synthesis by activating PI3K/AKT, ERK and GSK3β in B16F10 melanoma cells.
abstract: Berberine, an isoquinoline alkaloid, has a wide range of beneficial properties, including anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, and cholesterol-lowering effects. Recently findings suggest that berberine improves glucose and lipid metabolism disorders. In the present study, we examined the mechanism underlying the inhibitory effect of berberine on α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH)-stimulated B16F10 melanoma cells. The results showed that berberine attenuated α-MSH induction of the microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF) and tyrosinase in a dose-dependent manner. To elucidate the mechanism underlying the inhibitory effect of berberine, we examined the effect of α-MSH-stimulated phosphorylation of PI3K/AKT, ERK, and GSK3β. The results showed that treatment with berberine resulted in a reduction in the phosphorylation of PI3K/AKT, ERK, and GSK3β. Taken together, the results suggested that berberine inhibits melanin synthesis and tyrosinase activity by downregulating the expression of MITF and tyrosinase. Thus, these findings may contribute to the potential application of berberine in the prevention and treatment of skin pigmentation disorders.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Chung‑Ang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Young Chan
authors.initials: YC
authors.lastname: Song
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Chung‑Ang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Yonghee
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Chung‑Ang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Hyeong Mi
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Chung‑Ang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Moo Yeol
authors.initials: MY
authors.lastname: Hyun
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Chung‑Ang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Yun Young
authors.initials: YY
authors.lastname: Lim
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Chung‑Ang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Kye Yong
authors.initials: KY
authors.lastname: Song
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Chung‑Ang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Beom Joon
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Kim
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001599:Berberine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D004789:Enzyme Activation / Q000187:drug effects; D048049:Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases / Q000378:metabolism*; D038362:Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 / Q000378:metabolism*; D000071679:Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 beta; D008543:Melanins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D008546:Melanoma, Experimental / Q000378:metabolism*; D014442:Monophenol Monooxygenase / Q000378:metabolism; D019869:Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases / Q000378:metabolism*; D051057:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt / Q000378:metabolism*; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D008543:Melanins; D001599:Berberine; D014442:Monophenol Monooxygenase; D019869:Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases; D000071679:Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 beta; D051057:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt; D048049:Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases; D038362:Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3