Effect of urea-extracted sericin on melanogenesis: potential applications in post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation

Abstract

BackgroundHyperpigmentation disorders such as post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation are major concerns not only in light-skinned people but also in Asian populations with darker skin. The anti-tyrosinase and immunomodulatory effects of sericin have been known for decades. However, the therapeutic effects of sericin on hyperpigmentation disorders have not been well documented.MethodsIn this study, we used an in vitro model to study the anti-tyrosinase, tolerogenic, and anti-melanogenic effects of sericin on Staphylococcus aureus peptidoglycan (PEG)-stimulated melanocytes, dendritic cells (DCs), and artificial skin (MelanoDerm™). Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, conventional and immunolabeled electron microscopy, and histopathological studies were performed.ResultsThe results revealed that urea-extracted sericin has strong anti-tyrosinase properties as shown by a reduction of tyrosinase activity in melanin pigments both 48 h and 10 days after allergic induction with PEG. Anti-inflammatory cytokines including interleukin (IL)-4, IL-10, and transforming growth factor-β were upregulated upon sericin treatment (10, 20, and 50 µg/mL), whereas production of allergic chemokines, CCL8 and CCL18, by DCs was diminished 48 h after allergic induction with PEG. Moreover, sericin lowered the expression of micropthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF), a marker of melanogenesis regulation, in melanocytes and keratinocytes, which contributed to the reduction of melanin size and the magnitude of melanin deposition. However, sericin had no effect on melanin transport between melanocytes and keratinocytes, as demonstrated by a high retention of cytoskeletal components.ConclusionIn summary, sericin suppresses melanogenesis by inhibition of tyrosinase activity, reduction of inflammation and allergy, and modulation of MITF function.

Urea-Extracted Sericin is Potentially Better Than Kojic Acid in the Inhibition of Melanogenesis Through Increased ROS Generation

“…Treatment of hyperpigmentation disorders can be achieved by regulating melanin production and the distribution in melanocytes (24). Previous research has demonstrated that urea-extracted sericin has antimelanogenic effects by the inhibition of tyrosinase activity using in vitro models of allergy induction (13). However, the anti-melanogenic properties sericin obtained with a number of extraction methods have not been well-documented.…”

“…The silk sericin was isolated from the cocoons of mulberry (B. mori) silk using urea solution as described by Aramwit et al (13). Cocoon pieces (6 g) were soaked in 8 M urea (150 ml) for 30 min and then re uxed at 85°C for 30 min.…”

Evaluating the effect of rice (Oryza sativa L.: SRNC05053-6-2) crude extract on psoriasis using in vitro and in vivo models

“…Recently, researchers showed that in addition to keratinocytes, melanocytes contribute to the severity of psoriasis by targeting the human leukocyte antigen class I allele, the main psoriasis risk gene 2 . To demonstrate the anti-inflammatory and antityrosinase activities of the extract, a melanocyte allergic model was created via PEG-induced inflammation 28 . The human melanoma cell line (ATCC CRL-1676) was cultured in Eagle’s Minimum Essential Medium supplemented with 10% (v/v) heat-inactivated fetal bovine serum and 1% (v/v) penicillin/streptomycin.…”

Development of Multifunctional Cosmetic Cream Using Bioactive Materials from Streptomyces sp. T65 with Synthesized Mesoporous Silica Particles SBA-15

“…Amino acids are protein substrates and are highly safe for humans, being commonly used in cosmetic ingredients [52,53]. Studies have shown that amino acids and their derivatives are an effective measure to suppress the signs of aging, oxidative stress, and melanogenesis [52,[54][55][56][57].…”