Ethyl linoleate is an unsaturated fatty acid used in many cosmetics for its various attributes, such as antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties and clinically proven to be an effective anti-acne agent. In this study, we investigated the effect of ethyl linoleate on the melanogenesis and the mechanism underlying its action on melanogenesis in B16F10 murine melanoma cells. Our results revealed that ethyl linoleate significantly inhibited melanin content and intracellular tyrosinase activity in α-MSH-induced B16F10 cells, but it did not directly inhibit activity of mushroom tyrosinase. Ethyl linoleate inhibited the expression of microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF), tyrosinase, and tyrosinase related protein 1 (TRP1) in governing melanin pigment synthesis. We observed that ethyl linoleate inhibited phosphorylation of Akt and glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK3β) and reduced the level of β-catenin, suggesting that ethyl linoleate inhibits melanogenesis through Akt/GSK3β/β-catenin signal pathway. Therefore, we propose that ethyl linoleate may be useful as a safe whitening agent in cosmetic and a potential therapeutic agent for reducing skin hyperpigmentation in clinics.
(Osbeck) M.C.Johnst., an evergreen tender shrub of the Rhamnaceae, has been used as folk medicine and in traditional tea. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study that investigates the free radical scavenging activity and cell cytotoxicity of branches. The ethyl acetate fraction and-butanol fraction were identified to be rich in phenolic compounds exhibiting impressive antioxidant activity after stepwise partitioning of solvent fractions of the methanol extracts of branches (MB). Among the different human cancer cells tested, maximum cytotoxicity was found in MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cells with MB, chloroform, ethyl acetate,-butanol and water fraction. A significant (<0.05) correlation between antioxidant activities and cytotoxicity exists in each fraction. These results suggest the branches of can be a valuable source of antioxidants, and they can serve as natural anticancer constituents in nutraceutical and pharmaceutical applications.
BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVESSageretia thea is traditionally used as a medicinal herb to treat various diseases, including skin disorders, in China and Korea. This study evaluated the inhibitory effect of Sageretia thea fruit on melanogenesis and its underlying mechanisms in B16F10 mouse melanoma cells. The active chemical compounds in anti-melanogenesis were determined in
Sageretia thea.MATERIALS/METHODSSolvent fractions from the crude extract were investigated for anti-melanogenic activities. These activities and the mechanism of anti-melanogenesis in B16F10 cells were examined by determining melanin content and tyrosinase activity, and by performing western blotting.RESULTSThe n-hexane fraction of Sageretia thea fruit (HFSF) exhibited significant anti-melanogenic activity among the various solvent fractions without reducing viability of B16F10 cells. The HFSF suppressed the expression of tyrosinase and tyrosinase-related protein 1 (TRP1). The reduction of microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF) expression by the HFSF was mediated by the Akt/glycogen synthase kinase 3 beta (GSK3β) signaling pathway, which promotes the reduction of β-catenin. Treatment with the GSK3β inhibitor 6-bromoindirubin-3'-oxime (BIO) restored HFSF-induced inhibition of MITF expression. The HFSF bioactive constituents responsible for anti-melanogenic activity were identified by bioassay-guided fractionation and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis as methyl linoleate and methyl linolenate.CONCLUSIONSThese results indicate that HFSF and its constituents, methyl linoleate and methyl linolenate, could be used as whitening agents in cosmetics and have potential for treating hyperpigmentation disorders in the clinic.
Background
Annona squamosa L. is a branched shrub, which is believed to be originated from the America and West Indies. Fruits of this plant are commonly known as custard apple, sugar apple, or sweetsops. A number of studies have proven a range of biological activities associated with various parts of A. squamosa.
Aims
The main aim of the present investigation was to evaluate potential inhibitory effects of A. squamosa leaf extract (ALE) on melanogenesis and its underlying mechanisms in B16F10 murine melanoma cells.
Methods
Inhibitory effects of A. squamosa leaf extract (ALE) on melanogenesis were primarily assessed by determining melanin contents. Effects of ALE on tyrosinase activity and the expression of proteins associated with melanogenesis were then determined. GC–MS analysis was carried out to identify the phytochemical profile of A. squamosa leaf extract.
Results
Antimelanogenic effects of ALE were found to exert through the inhibition of melanocyte inducing transcription factor (MITF) and activation of p38. GC‐MS analysis identified ent‐kaur‐16‐en‐19‐ol, 18‐oxokauran‐17‐yl acetate, and β‐sitosterol as major phytochemicals.
Conclusion
To our knowledge, this is the first study on the antimelanogenic effects of A. squamosa leaves, rationalizing the use A. squamosa leaf extract as a natural depigmentation agent for the treatment of skin diseases and the development of cosmetic products with enhanced skin‐lightening capabilities.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.