Jatrorrhizine, an alkaloid isolated from Phellodendron amurense, reduces melanogenesis in mouse B16F10 melanoma cells

Jatrorrhizine isolated from Phellodendron amurense has been reported as one of the major phenolic alkaloid compounds. Previous studies indicated that jatrorrhizine has potential health benefits. In this study, we used jatrorrhizine isolated from P. amurense to determine its effects on melanogenesis using B16F10 mouse melanoma cells. Jatrorrhizine at 20–100 μM inhibited α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone-induced melanin biosynthesis without cytotoxicity. Treatment with jatrorrhizine inhibited melanocortin 1 receptor, increased transforming growth factor-β1, and inhibited microphthalmia transcription factor, tyrosinase-related protein-1, tyrosinase-related protein-2, tyrosinase expression, and tyrosinase activity compared to the α-MSH-treated control. In addition, treatment with jatrorrhizine inhibited RAB27A and MYO5A, which are key components of melanosome transport. The current results suggest that jatrorrhizine has the potential to be used in functional cosmetics and beauty foods to improve skin tone. Further in vivo studies using jatrorrhizine would be needed to support the current observations.