Inhibitory effects and underlying mechanisms of Artemisia capillaris essential oil on melanogenesis in the B16F10 cell line

Abstract

The present study investigated the anti-melanogenic activity of 10 essential oils using the B16F10 cell model. initially, a wide range of concentrations of these essential oils were screened in order to determine their toxicity levels. The assigned non-toxic concentrations of the tested essential oils were then used to evaluate their effects on melanogenesis. The effects of the essential oils with potent anti-melanogenic activity on cell proliferation, protection against H 2 o 2 -induced cell death and the expression of certain melanogenesis-related genes, including MiTF, tyrosinase, tyrosinase related protein (TrP)-1 and TrP-2 were also evaluated. The results revealed that the essential oils extracted from Citrus unshiu, Juniperus chinensis l., Zanthoxylum piperitum and Artemisia capillaris (A. capillaris) inhibited melanogenesis. However, among these four extracts, only A. capillaris extract enhanced cell proliferation, exhibited anti-H 2 o 2 activities and decreased the expression level of TrP-1. it was demonstrated that A. capillaris extract inhibited melanin synthesis via the downregulation of the TrP-1 translational level. These essential oil extracts, particularly that of A. capillaris, may thus be used as natural anti-melanogenic agents for therapeutic purposes and in the cosmetic industry for skin whitening effects with beneficial proliferative properties. However, further studies using in vivo models are required to validate these findings and to examine the effects of these extracts on various molecular pathways.

Multiplicative Effects of Essential Oils and Other Active Components on Skin Tissue and Skin Cancers

“…These enzymes are responsible for initiating and regulating melanogenesis [117]. In addition, these enzymes contribute to the completion of the process and act as modifiers to regulate pathway velocity [118]. Among melanogenesis-associated enzymes, TRP-1 and TRP-2 stabilize tyrosinase activity and maintain the structural integrity of melanosome [118].…”

“…In addition, these enzymes contribute to the completion of the process and act as modifiers to regulate pathway velocity [118]. Among melanogenesis-associated enzymes, TRP-1 and TRP-2 stabilize tyrosinase activity and maintain the structural integrity of melanosome [118]. Moreover, melanogenesis is associated with H 2 O 2 production through the enzymatic and non-enzymatic reactions and subsequently induces oxidative stress in melanocytes [119,120].…”

“…The ethanol extract and ethyl acetate fraction of Artemisia capillaris (A. capillaris) possess anti-cancer [156] and anti-oxidant functions [157], respectively. Treatment with A. capillaris grass clumps EO (AC-EO) is found to reduce both intracellular and extracellular melanin contents via the downregulation of TRP-1 signaling in melanoma B16F10 melanoma [118]. The skin is exposed to various external stresses, such as ROS, which induce various deleterious effects and the apoptosis of keratinocytes [158,159].…”

“…The skin is exposed to various external stresses, such as ROS, which induce various deleterious effects and the apoptosis of keratinocytes [158,159]. AC-EO treatment is found to upregulate the proliferation of H 2 O 2 -exposed B16F10 melanoma [118].…”

Essential oils extracted from nine different plants exhibit differential effects on skin antioxidation and elasticity

“…As mentioned above, many essential plant oils have beneficial effects on skin. In this study, we screened Korean traditional native plants that showed potential for antioxidant efficacy from literature references [ 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 ]. Afterwards, plants for which the optimal concentration that could exhibit functionality in skin cells without causing cytotoxicity had not been identified were selected and used in this experiment.…”