Anti-Melanogenic Potential of Natural and Synthetic Substances: Application in Zebrafish Model

Abstract

Melanogenesis is a biosynthetic pathway for the formation of the pigment melanin in human skin. A key enzyme in the process of pigmentation through melanin is tyrosinase, which catalyzes the first and only limiting step in melanogenesis. Since the discovery of its methanogenic properties, tyrosinase has been the focus of research related to the anti-melanogenesis. In addition to developing more effective and commercially safe inhibitors, more studies are required to better understand the mechanisms involved in the skin depigmentation process. However, in vivo assays are necessary to develop and validate new drugs or molecules for this purpose, and to accomplish this, zebrafish has been identified as a model organism for in vivo application. In addition, such model would allow tracking and studying the depigmenting activity of many bioactive compounds, important to genetics, medicinal chemistry and even the cosmetic industry. Studies have shown the similarity between human and zebrafish genomes, encouraging their use as a model to understand the mechanism of action of a tested compound. Interestingly, zebrafish skin shares many similarities with human skin, suggesting that this model organism is suitable for studying melanogenesis inhibitors. Accordingly, several bioactive compounds reported herein for this model are compared in terms of their molecular structure and possible mode of action in zebrafish embryos. In particular, this article described the main metabolites of Trichoderma fungi, in addition to substances from natural and synthetic sources.

Trichoderma asperellum Extract Isolated from Brazil Nuts (Bertholletia excelsa BONPL): In Vivo and In Silico Studies on Melanogenesis in Zebrafish

“…The inhibitory activity of secondary metabolites from species of the genus Trichoderma has been investigated, and the extracts of Trichoderma atroviride, Trichoderma gamsii, Trichoderma guizhouense, and Trichoderma songyi were all demonstrated as potential inhibitors of the enzyme tyrosinase [36]. The present study describes, for the first time, the in vivo anti-melanogenic activity of the crude ethyl acetate extract of T. asperellum (AM07Ac).…”

“…The high fertility rate and rapid development of ZF make it an ideal model to elucidate the molecular basis of several diseases [34,35], as well as screen for bioactive compounds, such as the presence or absence of melanin, the easily visualized pigment we intend to study in this work [36].…”

Trichoderma asperellum Extract Isolated From Brazil Nuts (Bertholletia excelsa. BONPL): In Vivo and In Silico Studies on Melanogenesis in Zebrafish

“…[49,68] The inhibitory activity of secondary metabolites from species of the genus Trichoderma has been investigated, and the extracts of Trichoderma atroviride, Trichoderma gamsii, Trichoderma guizhouense, and Trichoderma songyi were all demonstrated as potential inhibitors of the enzyme tyrosinase. [69] The present study describes, for the first time, the in vivo anti-melanogenic activity of the crude ethyl acetate extract of T. asperellum (AM07Ac).…”

Anti-Melanogenic Effects of Lilium lancifolium Root Extract via Downregulation of PKA/CREB and MAPK/CREB Signaling Pathways in B16F10 Cells

“…Tyrosinase, tyrosinase-related protein 1 (Tyrp1), and tyrosinase-related protein 2 (Tyrp2), collectively referred to as melanogenic enzymes, play crucial roles in pigmentation [63]. Tyrosinase catalyzes the conversion of tyrosine to 3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine, which is a vital and rate-limiting step in melanin synthesis [64].…”