Int J Mol Sci. 2014 Sep 19;15(9):16665-79. doi: 10.3390/ijms150916665.

Inhibitory effects of adlay extract on melanin production and cellular oxygen stress in B16F10 melanoma cells.

Huang HC1, Hsieh WY2, Niu YL3, Chang TM4.

Author information

• 1Department of Medical Laboratory Science and Biotechnology, China Medical University, No. 91 Hsueh-Shih Road, Taichung 40402, Taiwan. lchuang@mail.cmu.edu.tw.
• 2Department of Applied Cosmetology & Master Program of Cosmetic Sciences, Hungkuang University, No. 1018, Sec. 6, Taiwan Boulevard, Shalu Dist., Taichung City 43302, Taiwan. opency.tw@gmail.com.
• 3Niuer International Skincare Science Research Institute, 7F, No. 618, Ruiguang Rd., Neihu Dist., Taipei 114, Taiwan. niuer80@gmail.com.
• 4Department of Applied Cosmetology & Master Program of Cosmetic Sciences, Hungkuang University, No. 1018, Sec. 6, Taiwan Boulevard, Shalu Dist., Taichung City 43302, Taiwan. ctm@sunrise.hk.edu.tw.

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the effects of adlay extract on melanin production and the antioxidant characteristics of the extract. The seeds were extracted by the supercritical fluid CO2 extraction (SFE) method. The effect of adlay extract on melanin production was evaluated using mushroom tyrosinase activity assay, intracellular tyrosinase activity, antioxidant properties and melanin content. Those assays were performed spectrophotometrically. In addition, the expression of melanogenesis-related proteins was determined by western blotting. The results revealed that the adlay extract suppressed intracellular tyrosinase activity and decreased the amount of melanin in B16F10 cells. The adlay extract decreased the expression of microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF), tyrosinase, tyrosinase related protein-1 (TRP-1) and tyrosinase related protein-2 (TRP-2). The extract also exhibited antioxidant characteristics such as free radical scavenging capacity and reducing power. It effectively decreased intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels in B16F10 cells. We concluded that the adlay extract inhibits melanin production by down-regulation of MITF, tyrosinase, TRP-1 and TRP-2. The antioxidant properties of the extract may also contribute to the inhibition of melanogenesis. The adlay extract can therefore be applied as an inhibitor of melanogenesis and could also act as a natural antioxidant in skin care products.

PMID:

25244016