Ardisia crenata extract stimulates melanogenesis in B16F10 melanoma cells through inhibiting ERK1/2 and Akt activation.

Abstract

Melanin protects the skin against ultraviolet radiation by scattering incoming light and absorbing diverse free radicals. Agents that increase melanin synthesis in melanocytes may reduce the risk of photodamage and skin cancer. The present study investigated the effect of a methanol extract of Ardisia crenata (AC) on melanogenesis in B16F10 cells. Treatment of cultured B16F10 cells with AC extract (10, 20 and 40 µg/ml) stimulated an increase in melanin levels in a concentration-dependent manner, without cytotoxicity. Tyrosinase is key in the regulation of melanin production, thus the effect of AC extract on tyrosinase activity and protein expression was analyzed. AC extract was observed to significantly increase tyrosinase activity and protein expression in B16F10 cells. Furthermore, AC extract was found to markedly increase the protein expression of microphthalmia-associated transcription factor, which is an important transcription factor involved in tyrosinase gene expression. In addition, AC extract (40 µg/ml) was observed to suppress the activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and Akt, which negatively regulate melanin synthesis in B16F10 cells. In conclusion, to the best of our knowledge, the present study is the first to show that a methanol extract of AC stimulates melanogenesis by increasing tyrosinase expression via the inhibition of ERK and Akt. Thus, methanol extract of AC may be a potential treatment for hypopigmentation diseases and may be a candidate for skin-tanning cosmetic products.

• Authors: Cheng Yao, Cheng Long Jin, Jang-Hee Oh, Inn Gyung Oh, Chi-Hyun Park, Jin Ho Chung
• Journal: Molecular medicine reports (Mol Med Rep) Vol. 11 Issue 1 Pg. 653-7 (Jan 2015) ISSN: 1791-3004 [Electronic] Greece
• PMID: 25333888 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Melanins
• Microphthalmia-Associated Transcription Factor
• Plant Extracts
• Protein Kinase Inhibitors
• Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt
• Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 1
• Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 3

Topics

• Animals
• Ardisia (chemistry)
• Biosynthetic Pathways (drug effects)
• Cell Line, Tumor
• Cell Survival (drug effects)
• Enzyme Activation (drug effects)
• Melanins (biosynthesis)
• Melanoma, Experimental (metabolism)
• Mice
• Microphthalmia-Associated Transcription Factor (metabolism)
• Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 1 (metabolism)
• Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 3 (metabolism)
• Plant Extracts (pharmacology)
• Protein Kinase Inhibitors (pharmacology)
• Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt (metabolism)