Mechanism of the melanogenesis stimulation activity of (-)-cubebin in murine B16 melanoma cells.

Abstract

(-)-Cubebin showed a melanogenesis stimulation activity in a concentration-dependent manner in murine B16 melanoma cells without any significant effects on cell proliferation. Tyrosinase activity was increased at 24-72 h after addition of cubebin to B16 cells, and then intracellular melanin amount was increased at 48-96 h after the treatment. The expression levels of tyrosinase were time-dependently enhanced after the treatment with cubebin. At the same time, the expression levels of tyrosinase mRNA were also increased after addition of cubebin. Furthermore Western blot analysis revealed that cubebin elevated the level of phosphorylation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK). SB203580, a selective inhibitor of p38 MAPK, completely blocked cubebin-induced expression of tyrosinase mRNA in B16 cells. These results suggested that cubebin increased melanogenesis in B16 cells through the enhancement of tyrosinase expression mediated by activation of p38 MAPK.

• Authors: Noriko Hirata, Shunsuke Naruto, Kenji Ohguchi, Yukihiro Akao, Yoshinori Nozawa, Munekazu Iinuma, Hideaki Matsuda
• Journal: Bioorganic & medicinal chemistry (Bioorg Med Chem) Vol. 15 Issue 14 Pg. 4897-902 (Jul 15 2007) ISSN: 0968-0896 [Print] England
• PMID: 17521910 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Imidazoles
• Lignans
• Melanins
• Pyridines
• RNA, Messenger
• Monophenol Monooxygenase
• p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases
• cubebin
• SB 203580

Topics

• Animals
• Cell Line, Tumor
• Cell Proliferation (drug effects)
• Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic (drug effects, genetics)
• Imidazoles (pharmacology)
• Lignans (pharmacology)
• Melanins (biosynthesis)
• Melanoma (metabolism, pathology)
• Mice
• Monophenol Monooxygenase (genetics, metabolism)
• Phosphorylation (drug effects)
• Pyridines (pharmacology)
• RNA, Messenger (genetics)
• p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases (metabolism)