Ssanghwa-tang, an oriental herbal cocktail, exerts anti-melanogenic activity by suppression of the p38 MAPK and PKA signaling pathways in B16F10 cells

Abstract

BackgroundSsanghwa-tang (SHT) is a widely used medication for the treatment of fatigue, pain, inflammation, hypothermia, erectile dysfunction, cancer, and osteoporosis in Asia, however, role of SHT on the melanin synthesis has not been checked previously. Thus, the present study was designed to determine the effect of SHT on α-melanocyte stimulating hormone (α-MSH)-induced melanogensis and its mechanisms of action in murine B16F10 melanoma cells.MethodCellular melanin content and tyrosinase activity in murine B16F10 melanoma cells were determined after α-MSH stimulation with or without pre-treatment of SHT at the concentration of 250 and 500 μg/ml. Expression level of tyrosinase, tyrosinase-related protein 1 (TRP-1), TRP-2, microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF), and activation of c-AMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA), c-AMP-related element binding protein (CREB), and mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) were examined by Western blot analysis.ResultsSHT significantly inhibited α-MSH-induced melanin synthesis and tyrosinase activity, and also decreased α-MSH-induced expression of MITF, tyrosinase, and TRP-1. In addition, SHT remarkably suppressed tyrosinase, CRE, and MITF luciferase reporter activity in a resting state as well as in α-MSH-stimulating condition. Phosphorylation of p38 MAPK by α-MSH stimulation was efficiently blocked by SHT pre-treatment. Moreover, SHT as an herbal cocktail showed synergistic anti-melanogenic effect compared with that of each single constituent herb.ConclusionSHT efficiently inhibited c-AMP-induced melanin synthesis in B16F10 cells via suppression of PKA and p38 MAPK signaling pathways and subsequently decreased the level of CREB phosphorylation, MITF, and melanogenic enzymes. These results indicate that SHT may be useful as herbal medicine for treating hyperpigmentation and cosmetics as a skin-whitening agent.

Effects of Ganodermanondiol, a New Melanogenesis Inhibitor from the Medicinal Mushroom Ganoderma lucidum

“…The MITF gene itself is a target of cAMP signaling induced by α-MSH, and predominantly regulates tyrosinase and TRP-1 protein expression [35,36,37]. In the cAMP-dependent signaling pathway, the dual phosphorylation of the cAMP response element binding protein (CREB), mediated by the kinase activities of ribosomal S6 kinase (RSK) and PKA, has been found to activate MITF transcription [38,39]. Furthermore, it has been reported that suppression of the cAMP-dependent signaling pathway causes MITF degradation in α-MSH-stimulated melanoma cells [40].…”

Shufengjiedu capsules protect against neuronal loss in olfactory epithelium and lung injury by enhancing autophagy in rats with allergic rhinitis

“…Numerous studies have indicated that the active constituents of SFJDCs, such as resveratrol and other flavonoids, inhibit acute lung injury (ALI). In addition, the MAPK and NF-kB signaling pathways may be involved in ALI (32)(33)(34)(35)(36)(37)(38). NF-κB is a key factor in the inflammatory response and is involved in the release of inflammatory factors and development of ALI (39,40).…”

Identification of Differentially Expressed miRNAs between White and Black Hair Follicles by RNA-Sequencing in the Goat (Capra hircus)

“…The MAPK family proteins, such as p38, ERK and JNK, play critical roles in melanogenesis [24]. Most studies reported that the p38 MAPK signaling pathway activates MITF, which can up-regulate the expression of melanogenic enzymes [25].…”