Depigmentation efficacy of galacturonic acid through tyrosinase regulation in B16 murine melanoma cells and a three-dimensional human skin equivalent.

Abstract

Sugar is a well-known cosmetic ingredient for moisturizing skin with minimal side-effects. Several reports have demonstrated an antimelanogenic effect of sugar in melanocytes. We evaluated the whitening efficacy of galacturonic acid (GA), the main component of pectin, as an anti-melanogenic agent. GA significantly suppressed melanin synthesis and secretion in a concentration-dependent manner in α-melanocyte stimulating hormone-treated B16 melanoma cells, and inhibited tyrosinase activity and expression at a dose of 10 mmol/L. In a three-dimensional human skin equivalent (MelanoDerm), GA clearly brightened tissue colour. Haematoxylin and eosin and Fontana-Masson (F&M) staining of tissue sections revealed decreased melanin production without skin tissue collapse in the presence of GA. Interestingly, GA dramatically suppressed gene expression of the melanogenic proteins tyrosinase, tyrosinase-related protein (TYRP)-1 and microphthalmia-associated transcription factor, but not TYRP-2. The results support the utility of GA as an effective candidate antimelanogenic agent.

• Authors: C S Lee, H S Baek, I-H Bae, S J Choi, Y J Kim, J H Lee, J W Kim
• Journal: Clinical and experimental dermatology (Clin Exp Dermatol) Vol. 43 Issue 6 Pg. 708-712 (Aug 2018) ISSN: 1365-2230 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 29744907 (Publication Type: Journal Article)
• Copyright: © 2018 British Association of Dermatologists.

Chemical References

• Hexuronic Acids
• Melanins
• galacturonic acid

Topics

• Animals
• Cell Line, Tumor
• Gene Expression
• Hexuronic Acids (pharmacology, therapeutic use)
• Humans
• Melanins (biosynthesis, metabolism)
• Melanocytes (drug effects, metabolism)
• Melanoma, Experimental (metabolism)
• Mice
• Pigmentation Disorders (drug therapy)
• Skin (drug effects, metabolism)