Tyrosinase activity and melanogenic effects of Lespedeza bicolor extract in vitro and in vivo

Abstract

Lespedeza bicolor (L. bicolor) is used for medicinal purposes because of its various biological and pharmacological activities. In this study, the effects of L. bicolor ethanol extract on the treatment of vitiligo were investigated. The determination of melanin content in melanocytes was measured using B16 melanoma cells and C57BL/6J Ler-vit/vit mice. Finally, the quercetin content in L. bicolor were qualitatively analyzed using HPLC. The results obviously indicated that the L. bicolor extract enhanced melanogenesis and increased tyrosinase activity in cultured melanoma cells and C57BL/6J Ler-vit/vit mice. Treatment with L. bicolor extract led to a higher content of melanin and eumelanin in C57BL/6J Ler-vit/vit mice hair than in control (untreated) mice, which demonstrated the therapeutic effect of hair-graying associated with vitiligo. There was a notable increase in melanocytes in the skin of C57BL/6J Ler-vit/vit mice treated with L. bicolor extract compared with the control. L. bicolor extract was a potent tyrosinase and melanin synthesis activator in B16 melanoma cells. C57BL/6J Ler-vit/vit mice treated with L. bicolor extract had significantly higher melanin content in hair than the untreated control. The results suggest that L. bicolor extract is a potential alternative treatment for improvement of vitiligo.

Plants as Modulators of Melanogenesis: Role of Extracts, Pure Compounds and Patented Compositions in Therapy of Pigmentation Disorders

“…Lespedeza bicolor extract applied at an amount of 0.2 mL/cm 2 to those animals significantly increase the level of melanocytes in the skin. The main constituent of extract was identified as quercetin [ 112 ]. Application of 0.2 mL/cm 2 Rhododendron schlippenbachii extract for 5 months leads to melanin production [ 113 ].…”

“…It was revealed that Cyrtomium fortunei [ 109 ], Panax ginseng [ 116 ], Artocarpus chama [ 72 ] and Punica granatum [ 124 ] extracts suppress cellular melanogenesis. Lespedeza bicolor [ 112 ] and Rhododendron schlippenbachii [ 113 ] extracts show the opposite effect. Rosa gallica and Aster yomena extracts evoke skin whitening by modulation of MAPKs [ 126 ] and ERK and AKT [ 130 ] signaling.…”