Mechanisms of Anti-Melanogenic and Proliferative Effects of Colla Corii Asini (E’jiao)

Abstract

Natural compounds have been reported for the development of cosmetic skin care products but it remains a challenge to find safe and useful ones. Colla corii asini (E'jiao), or donkey-hide gelatin (DHG) prepared by concentrating stewed Equus asinus L. donkey hide, has been useful in traditional Chinese medicine. However, its anti-melanogenic and skin care effects have not been explored. In this study, the biological effect of DHG was tested on murine B16-F10 melanocytes and human HaCaT keratinocytes. The cell signal pathway mechanisms by DHG were also examined by western blot assay. The results showed that DHG was not cytotoxic to cells and had an anti-melanogenic effect by inhibiting tyrosinase activity and reducing melanin contents in B16-F10 melanocytes. It also showed an anti-oxidative effect of reducing ROS generation in H 2 O 2 -stressed HaCaT keratinocytes. DHG dose-dependently enhanced phosphorylation of ERK, but reduced p-JNK and p-p38 proteins in B16-F10 cells under the UV stress. This is consistent with the results of other anti-melanogenic agents. Therefore, this suggested DHG had a potential for skin whitening and skin care applications.