Inhibitory Effects of Decaschistia intermedia Craib Extract on Melanin Synthesis

Abstract

 The purpose of this study was to investigate the anti-melanogenic effects of the extracts from Decaschistia intermedia craib (EDI). In this study, we examined the effects of EDI on mushroom tyrosinase activity in in vitro, melanin contents, and expression levels of mRNA and proteins of melanogenesis-related genes in B16F10 melanoma cells. The treatment of EDI significantly decreased both tyrosinase activity and melanin contents in B16F10 cells with dose-dependent manner. In addition, we found that the expression of mRNA or proteins of melanogenic proteins, such as, a-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (aMSH)-induced microphthalmia associated transcription factor (MITF), tyrosinase, tyrosinase related protein-1 (TRP-1), and TRP-2 was significantly downregulated with dose-dependent manner in the EDI-treated B16F10 cells compared to controls. Our results suggest that the EDI inhibits cellular melanogenesis through downregulation of a-MSH-stimulated melanin synthesis. Thus EDI may potentially be an effective whitening agent.