1-1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl and Hyperpigmentation

Melanin is a dark pigment produced by melanocytes. Tyrosinase is a key enzyme which catalyzes the rate-limiting step of melanogenesis. However, accumulation of melanin leads to various skin hyperpigmentation disorders. To find a novel skin-whitening agent, the antioxidant capacity of Bifidobacterium adolescentis culture filtrate and inhibitory effect on melanogenesis were investigated. The antioxidant effects of B. adolescentis culture filtrate include 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging capacity, 2,2'-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulphonic acid)(ABTS) radical cation scavenging activity and reducing power were measured spectrophotometrically. The reducing power is a useful index for the evaluation of potential antioxidants which carry out reduction of ferricyanide to ferrocyanide. Furthermore, the inhibitory effects of the bacterial culture filtrate on mushroom tyrosinase, B16F10 intracellular tyrosinase activity and melanin content were also determined. The results revealed that B. adolescentis culture filtrate (2.5, 5.0 and 7.5 %; v/v) effectively scavenged DPPH and ABTS radicals, and lower concentrations of the bacterial culture filtrates (0.5, 1.0 and 1.5 %; v/v) showed potent reducing power in a dose-dependent pattern. Additionally, the bacterial culture filtrate suppressed murine tyrosinase activity and decreased the amount of melanin in a dose-dependent manner. Our results demonstrated that B. adolescentis culture filtrate decreases the melanogenesis process of melanoma cells by inhibiting tyrosinase activity, which we suggest may be mediated through its antioxidant activity.

Topics: Animals; Antioxidants; Benzothiazoles; Bifidobacterium; Biphenyl Compounds; Cell Line, Tumor; Cell Proliferation; Cell Survival; Cells, Cultured; Hyperpigmentation; Melanins; Melanocytes; Melanoma, Experimental; Mice; Monophenol Monooxygenase; Picrates; Regression Analysis; Sulfonic Acids

Various skin hyperpigmentation disorders consist in accumulation and overproduction of melanin. In this report, we investigated the melanogenesis inhibitory and antioxidant effects of Bifidobacterium bifidum culture filtrate. The results revealed that B. bifidum culture filtrate effectively suppresses murine tyrosinase activity and decreases the amount of intracellular melanin in a dose-dependent manner. Additionally, the bacterial culture filtrate-scavenged DPPH and ABTS radicals, and shows potent-reducing power in a dose-dependent pattern. Our results expand the application of B. bifidum culture filtrate in the development and research of skin-whitening ingredients.

Topics: Agaricales; Animals; Antioxidants; Benzothiazoles; Bifidobacterium; Biphenyl Compounds; Cells, Cultured; Chick Embryo; Culture Media, Conditioned; Enzyme Activation; Fungal Proteins; Hyperpigmentation; Melanins; Mice; Monophenol Monooxygenase; Picrates; Sulfonic Acids

Nowadays herbal medicines of skin-whitening cosmetics are popular with women. We attempted to find the whitening activity compounds present in many herbal medicines used for this purpose and discuss their mechanisms in melanin biosynthesis. The 70% acetone extracts of 10 kinds of herbs were investigated for their mushroom tyrosinase activity inhibition. Among these 10 extracts, Chinese galls showed inhibitory activity against tyrosinase, with a 50% inhibitory concentration (IC(50)) value of 22 microg/ml. In a B16 mouse melanoma cell culture assay, Chinese galls dose-dependently inhibited melanin biosynthesis. Using ultraviolet A (UVA) or alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH) to stimulate B16 cells after Chinese gall treatment, the melanin biosynthesis of B16 cells was inhibited in a dose-dependent manner. The active compounds of Chinese galls were isolated by column chromatography, and the melanin biosynthesis inhibition in B16 melanoma cells was measured. Three gallotannins, 2,3,4,6-tetra-O-galloyl-D-glucopyranose, 1,2,3,6-tetra-O-galloyl-beta-D-glucopyranose, and 1,2,3,4,6-penta-O-galloyl-beta-D-glucopyranose, were isolated from Chinese gall extract, and their IC(50) values of tyrosinase inhibition activity were 54, 30, and 15 muM, respectively. By the mushroom tyrosinase inhibition kinetics assay, the three gallotannins were all determined to be non-competitive inhibitors. These results indicated that Chinese galls inhibit melanin biosynthesis, associated with hyperpigmentation and can be used as skin-whitening cosmetics for skin care.

Topics: Animals; Aphids; Biphenyl Compounds; Cell Line, Tumor; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Drugs, Chinese Herbal; Free Radical Scavengers; Free Radicals; Hydrolyzable Tannins; Hyperpigmentation; Medicine, Chinese Traditional; Melanins; Melanoma, Experimental; Mice; Monophenol Monooxygenase; Picrates; Plant Leaves; Rhus; Ultraviolet Rays