title: Inhibition of melanogenesis by β-caryophyllene from lime mint essential oil in mouse B16 melanoma cells.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Volatile essential oils of mint species are used for cosmetics and in skin care products. In this study, we evaluated the main chemical components of the lime mint and the anti-melanogenic properties of its main components.
  
  
  METHODS
  The essential oil was analysed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS). The anti-melanogenic effects of mint essential oil and β-caryophyllene were investigated in B16F10 murine melanoma cells.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The main components of lime mint essential oil were found to be D-limonene (41.10%), D-carvone (8.58%), δ-selinene (6.73%) and β-caryophyllene (6.24%). The lime mint essential oil reduced melanin production in a dose-dependent manner in murine B16F10 cells. β-Caryophyllene, one of the main compounds in lime mint essential oil, could reduce melanogenesis by down-regulating the expression of MITF, TRP-1, TRP-2 and tyrosinase, resulting in a decrease in melanin content decrease.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results reveal that lime mint essential oil and β-caryophyllene are considered to be valuable as potential skin-whitening agents.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cosmetic Science, Providence University, Taichung, 43301, Taiwan.|Department of Applied Chemistry, Providence University, Taichung, 43301, Taiwan.
authors.forename: C-H
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.affiliation: Department of Cosmetic Science, Providence University, Taichung, 43301, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Y-C
authors.initials: YC
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.affiliation: Department of Cosmetic Science, Chia Nan University of Pharmacy & Science, Tainan, 71710, Taiwan.
authors.forename: M-L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Tsai
authors.affiliation: Department of Cosmetic Science, Providence University, Taichung, 43301, Taiwan.|Graduate Institute of Biotechnology, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, 40227, Taiwan.
authors.forename: C-Y
authors.initials: CY
authors.lastname: Cheng
authors.affiliation: Department of Cosmetic Science, Providence University, Taichung, 43301, Taiwan.
authors.forename: L-L
authors.initials: LL
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: Department of Cosmetic Science, Chia Nan University of Pharmacy & Science, Tainan, 71710, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Y-W
authors.initials: YW
authors.lastname: Yen
authors.affiliation: Department of Cosmetic Science, Providence University, Taichung, 43301, Taiwan.|Department of Applied Chemistry, Providence University, Taichung, 43301, Taiwan.
authors.forename: W-L
authors.initials: WL
authors.lastname: Chen
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017610:Calcium Compounds / Q000737:chemistry*; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D008543:Melanins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D008546:Melanoma, Experimental / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D051379:Mice; D009822:Oils, Volatile / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010087:Oxides / Q000737:chemistry*; D000081223:Polycyclic Sesquiterpenes; D012717:Sesquiterpenes / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D017610:Calcium Compounds; D008543:Melanins; D009822:Oils, Volatile; D010087:Oxides; D000081223:Polycyclic Sesquiterpenes; D012717:Sesquiterpenes; C024714:caryophyllene; C016538:lime
keywords: cell culture; lime mint; melanogenesis; β-caryophyllene