Anti-melanogenic effects of Aster spathulifolius extract in UVB-exposed C57BL/6J mice and B16F10 melanoma cells through the regulation of MAPK/ERK and AKT/GSK3β signalling

J Pharm Pharmacol. 2016 Apr;68(4):503-13. doi: 10.1111/jphp.12524. Epub 2016 Mar 19.

Abstract

Objectives: Pharmacological studies of Aster spathulifolius Maxim(AS) have demonstrated its anti-allergy, anti-viral and anti-obesity effects, however, its anti-melanogenic effects is still unclear. In this study, the effects of AS extract (ASE) on the inhibition of melanin synthesis were investigated in vitro and in vivo.

Methods: To perform this study, the contents of melanin and tyrosinase activity were analysed in B16F10 melanoma cells. Western blotting was carried out to determine the underlyling mechanism. Additionally, we investigated the effect of this extract on hyperpigmentation in C57bL/6J mice induced by 3, 6 and 9 weeks of UVB irradiation.

Key findings: AS extract led to reduced melanin synthesis through the regulation of MITF and its downstream signals. Furthermore, ASE increased the phosphorylation of MAPK/ERK and Akt/GSK3β signalling pathway components. In vivo study, hypopigmentation effects were also observed. The melanocyte activity and the distribution of melanin granules were decreased in UVB-irradiated mice treated with ASE.

Conclusions: These results suggest that the ASE may be promising as an active anti-melanogenic component, and further investigations should be performed regarding its potential as a whitening agent in the field of cosmetics.

Keywords: Akt/GSK3β; B16F10; C57bl/6J; MAPK/ERK; melanin synthesis, Aster spathulifolius maxim.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Aster Plant / chemistry*
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases / metabolism*
  • Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 beta / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 beta / metabolism*
  • Hyperpigmentation / enzymology
  • Hyperpigmentation / prevention & control*
  • Melanins / metabolism*
  • Melanocytes / drug effects
  • Melanocytes / enzymology
  • Melanoma, Experimental / drug therapy*
  • Melanoma, Experimental / enzymology
  • Melanoma, Experimental / pathology
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Microphthalmia-Associated Transcription Factor / metabolism
  • Monophenol Monooxygenase / metabolism
  • Phosphorylation
  • Phytotherapy
  • Plant Extracts / isolation & purification
  • Plant Extracts / pharmacology*
  • Plants, Medicinal
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors / pharmacology
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt / metabolism*
  • Signal Transduction / drug effects
  • Skin / drug effects*
  • Skin / enzymology
  • Skin Lightening Preparations / isolation & purification
  • Skin Lightening Preparations / pharmacology*
  • Skin Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Skin Neoplasms / enzymology
  • Skin Neoplasms / pathology
  • Skin Pigmentation / drug effects
  • Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization
  • Time Factors
  • Ultraviolet Rays*

Substances

  • Melanins
  • Microphthalmia-Associated Transcription Factor
  • Mitf protein, mouse
  • Plant Extracts
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors
  • Skin Lightening Preparations
  • Monophenol Monooxygenase
  • Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 beta
  • Gsk3b protein, mouse
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt
  • Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases