Effects of a Traditional Caraway Formulation on Experimental Models of Vitiligo and Mechanisms of Melanogenesis

Abstract

Background. Kursi Karwiya or caraway tablet (CWT), a traditional medicine formula, is widely used in Xinjiang, China, for treating vitiligo, a common autoimmune disease for which there is currently no satisfactory cure. Clinical interventions include pharmacological treatment with psoralens, often in conjunction with UVA radiation, but toxic side effects limit this application. Studies on the activities and mechanisms of CWT are scarce. Objective. To investigate the in vitro and in vivo effects of CWT in B16 cell line and in animal models of vitiligo, further exploring its mechanisms of regulating melanogenesis. Methods. Effects of CWT on melanin synthesis in B16 cells and mushroom tyrosinase activity were investigated in vitro. The signaling pathway of melanogenesis in murine B16 melanoma cells was examined by Western blotting. Two different animal models were used, vitiligo induced by hydroquinone in the mouse model and by hydrogen peroxide in the guinea pig model. Relevant biochemical parameters in blood and skin tissue were measured, and visual inspection, histopathology, and immunohistochemical analysis of treated areas were carried out. Results. CWT produced changes in biochemical parameters including TYR, MDA, MAO, AChE, IL-6, INF-α, β-EP, and cAMP in blood and/or skin tissue and in regulating melanogenesis. After treatment with CTW, skin color, melanin containing hair follicles, and expression of TYR, TRP-1, and TRP-2 in the skin of animals were significantly affected. Conclusions. CWT alleviated many of detrimental effects in both models of vitiligo. Tyrosinase activity and melanin content in B16 cells were increased, at least in part, via activation of the PKA p38 MAPK signaling pathways. Our results show that CWT produces beneficial effects on parameters of vitiligo and is worthy of further investigation for use in this distressing autoimmune disorder which currently has no effective cure.

Research Progress on Targeted Antioxidant Therapy and Vitiligo

“…Minocycline significantly inhibits the activation of JNK, p38 MAPK, and caspase 3 induced by H 2 O 2 and can be used to prevent the loss of melanocytes in the early stage of vitiligo [102]. Other p38 MAPK agonists, including psoralen Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity derivative-MPFC, baicalein, cynarine, Kursi Karwiya or caraway tablet, 1,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid, glutathione, apigenin, and methyl 3,5-di-caffeoylquinate, could also be used to treat vitiligo, as new target compounds, which needs to be further studied [103][104][105][106][107][108][109][110].…”

Mechanisms of antioxidants in the treatment of vitiligo in vivo: a systematic review

“…The selected articles were published between 2014 and 2021, three from 2021 (Abuduaini, et al, 2021;Lai, et al, 2021;Zhai, et al, 2021). The language of all articles was English, and the country of publication of all articles was China.…”

Chemical profiling of composite prescription caraway and quantification of three pairs isomeric components in caraway administered rat plasma by tandem mass spectrometry

“…Caraway consists of Carum carvi extract, Psoralea corylifolia extract, Tribulus terrestris extract, Trachyspermum ammi (L.) Sprague extract, and Operculina turpethum extract. We have previously reported caraway's biological effects on melanin synthesis in B16 cell line and in vitiligo animal models [2]. However, beyond psoralen and isopsoralen alone [2], further chemical component of caraway is rarely revealed.…”

“…We have previously reported caraway's biological effects on melanin synthesis in B16 cell line and in vitiligo animal models [2]. However, beyond psoralen and isopsoralen alone [2], further chemical component of caraway is rarely revealed.…”

“…We have previously reported caraway's biological effects on melanin synthesis in B16 cell line and in vitiligo animal models [2]. However, beyond psoralen and isopsoralen alone [2], further chemical component of caraway is rarely revealed. According to the coordinated mechanism of traditional Uyghur medicine, analysis of two components is inadequate to represent the whole composite prescription.…”