title: Differential Effects of Methoxylated p-Coumaric Acids on Melanoma in B16/F10 Cells.
abstract: As an approach to search for chemopreventive agents, we tested p-coumaric acid, 3-methoxy-p-coumaric acid (ferulic acid), and 3,5-dimethoxy-p-coumaric acid (sinapic acid) in B16/F10 melanoma cells. Intracellular melanin contents were determined by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide assay and cytotoxicity of the compounds were examined by lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release. p-Coumaric acid showed inhibitory effect on melanogenesis, but ferulic acid increased melanin content, and sinapic acid had almost no effect on melanogenesis. Treatment with ferulic acid resulted in a 2 to 3 fold elevation in the production of melanin. Correlatively, cell viability decreased in a dose-dependent manner when treated with ferulic acid. However, ferulic acid did not affect the LDH release from the cells. Treatment with sinapic acid resulted in a 50~60% elevation in the release of LDH when treated with a 200 μg/mL concentration and showed neither cytostasis nor increase of melanin synthesis in a dose-dependent manner. Taken together, p-coumaric acid inhibits melanogenesis, ferulic acid induces melanogenesis, and sinapic acid exerts cytotoxic effects in B16/F10 murine melanoma cells. The results indicate that the addition of methoxy groups to p-coumaric acid shows the melanogenic or cytotoxic effects in melanoma cells compared to the original compound. Therefore, this study suggests the possibility that methoxylated p-coumaric acid, ferulic acid can be used as a chemopreventive agent.
authors: Cosmetic Sciences Center, Jeju National University, Jeju 690-756, Korea.
authors: Hoon Seok
authors: HS
authors: Yoon
authors: Cosmetic Sciences Center, Jeju National University, Jeju 690-756, Korea ; Faculty of Chemistry and Cosmetics, Jeju National University, Jeju 690-756, Korea.
authors: Nam-Ho
authors: NH
authors: Lee
authors: Cosmetic Sciences Center, Jeju National University, Jeju 690-756, Korea ; Faculty of Chemistry and Cosmetics, Jeju National University, Jeju 690-756, Korea.
authors: Chang-Gu
authors: CG
authors: Hyun
authors: Department of Food Science and Nutrition, Jeju National University, Jeju 690-756, Korea.
authors: Dong-Bum
authors: DB
authors: Shin
keywords: cytostasis; cytotoxicity; ferulic acid; methoxy groups; sinapic acid