title: Inhibition of melanogenesis by Gaillardia aristata flower extract.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The purpose of the study was to determine the anti-melanogenic and anti-oxidant properties of Gaillardia aristata flower extract (GAE).
  
  
  METHODS
  Melanogenesis inhibition by GAE was investigated in cultivated cells and in a human skin model. In cultivated cells, the melanogenesis regulatory effect of GAE was evaluated using melanin content, intracellular tyrosinase activity and anti-oxidant characteristics. In addition, the expression of melanogenesis-related proteins was determined by western blot assay and real-time PCR.
  
  
  RESULTS
  GAE reduced the amount of melanin in B16F10 and normal human epidermal melanocyte cells and suppressed intracellular tyrosinase activity in a dose-dependent pattern. Also, GAE significantly decreased the expression of melanogenesis-related proteins (microphthalmia associated transcription factor, tyrosinase, tyrosinase-related protein-1, and dopachrome tautomerase). Real-time PCR results revealed a down-regulation of the mRNAs of these proteins. GAE possessed anti-oxidant characteristics as free radical-scavenging capacity and reducing power. In the three-dimensional human skin model, GAE applied to hyperpigmented skin significantly increased the degree of skin lightening within 2 weeks of treatment. The safety of GAE on human skin was confirmed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results indicate the potential of GAE for use in suppressing skin pigmentation. We proposed GAE as a new candidate of anti-melanogenic and antioxidant agents that could be used for cosmetic skin care products.
authors.affiliation: Biospectrum Life Science Institute, Eines Platz 11th FL, 442-13 Sangdaewon Dong, Seoungnam City, Gyunggi Do, 462-807, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Minkyung
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Biospectrum Life Science Institute, Eines Platz 11th FL, 442-13 Sangdaewon Dong, Seoungnam City, Gyunggi Do, 462-807, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Seoungwoo
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Shin
authors.affiliation: Biospectrum Life Science Institute, Eines Platz 11th FL, 442-13 Sangdaewon Dong, Seoungnam City, Gyunggi Do, 462-807, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Jung-A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Biospectrum Life Science Institute, Eines Platz 11th FL, 442-13 Sangdaewon Dong, Seoungnam City, Gyunggi Do, 462-807, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Deokhoon
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Park
authors.affiliation: Department of Genetic Engineering, Sungkyunkwan University, 2066, Seobu-Ro, Jangan Gu, Suwon City, Gyunggi Do, 164-19, Republic of Korea. bioneer@skku.edu.
authors.forename: Jongsung
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Biospectrum Life Science Institute, Eines Platz 11th FL, 442-13 Sangdaewon Dong, Seoungnam City, Gyunggi Do, 462-807, Republic of Korea. bioso@biospectrum.com.
authors.forename: Eunsun
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Jung
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D019659:Asteraceae / Q000737:chemistry*; D002460:Cell Line; D035264:Flowers / Q000737:chemistry*; D006801:Humans; D008543:Melanins / Q000378:metabolism*; D008544:Melanocytes / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D014442:Monophenol Monooxygenase / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D010088:Oxidoreductases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012880:Skin Pigmentation / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D008543:Melanins; D010936:Plant Extracts; D010088:Oxidoreductases; C064056:tyrosinase-related protein-1; D014442:Monophenol Monooxygenase