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Although various marine ingredients have been exploited for the development of cosmetic products, no previous study has examined the potential of seaweed extracellular vesicles (EV) in such applications. Our results revealed that EV from Codium fragile and Sargassum fusiforme effectively decreased α-MSH-mediated melanin synthesis in MNT-1 human melanoma cells, associated with downregulation of MITF (microphthalmia-associated transcription factor), tyrosinase and TRP1 (tyrosinase-related proteins 1). The most effective inhibitory concentrations of EV were 250 μg/ml for S. fusiforme and 25 μg/ml for C. fragile, without affecting the viability of MNT-1 cells. Both EV reduced melanin synthesis in the epidermal basal layer of a three-dimensional model of human epidermis. Moreover, the application of the prototype cream containing C. fragile EV (final 5 μg/ml) yielded 1.31% improvement in skin brightness in a clinical trial. Together, these results suggest that EV from C. fragile and S. fusiforme reduce melanin synthesis and may be potential therapeutic and/or supplementary whitening agents.

Background. In cereals, photosynthetically active parts of the ear significantly contribute to seed size and weight at the grain-filling stage. In barley, ear tissues may accumulate melanin pigments synthesized in chloroplast-derived melanoplasts. Effects of such pigments on yield parameters of seeds have not been evaluated to date.Materials and methods. Seed weight and size assessed by image analysis were compared between two near-isogenic barley lines differing in alleles of the Blp1 gene, which determines melanin accumulation in ear tissues. Data on grainrelated parameters were collected during 6 years and include data on seeds grown either in the field or under greenhouse conditions.Results and discussion. A negative effect of the Blp1 locus on the weight of 1000 seeds harvested in the field but not in the greenhouse was revealed. To determine whether this effect is related to grain size, a comparison of two-dimensional linear parameters of seeds between the lines was performed. It was shown that unlike the length and the area of seeds, the width of seeds was also negatively affected by the Blp1 locus. Although the same factors affected the weight of 1000 seeds and the width of seeds, a correlation between them was not found, implying a dependence of seed weight on other factors such as thickness and its related parameter, seed volume.Conclusion. Effects of barely ear pigmentation and of the gene controlling it on yield-related parameters of seeds were studied here for the first time. The observed negative impact of the Blp1 locus on seed weight and size may be mediated by an interfering chloroplast activity and/or accumulation of assimilates via melanogenesis. Additional studies are necessary to test this supposition and to investigate the interaction of melanin synthesis and photosynthetic activity of the tissues accumulating this pigment.

Sorbus commixta is a tree of the Rosaceae family growing in Asia that has long been used to treat asthma and neuralgia. In a previous report, the chemical isolated from the bark of S. commixta was shown to suppress the production of nitric oxide (NO) and preinflammation by down regulating the NF-кB pathway in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced RAW 264.7 cells. Vitiligo is an acquired immune disease, usually characterized by white spots on the skin; however, its exact cause has not been identified. This study assessed the effects of an ethanol extract of S. commixta twigs (STE) on melanocyte activation, as well as its antiinflammatory and antioxidant properties. STE significantly increased the proliferation and melanin content of B16 melanocytes. Because of the importance of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α in inflammatory diseases, including the stimulation of vitiligo, the antiinflammatory effects of STE were tested in TNF-α-stimulated dermal fibroblasts and keratinocytes. STE reduced the levels of expression of IL-6, IL-8 and TNF- α mRNA and proteins. To assess the underlying molecular mechanism, the effects of STE on the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling process were analyzed in dermal fibroblasts. Results show that STE inactivated extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK). In addition, STE exhibited antioxidative properties in assays of DPPH radical scavenging activity. Taken together, these findings suggest that STE has potential therapeutic activity in vitiligo.

SLC45A2 encodes a putative transporter expressed primarily in pigment cells. SLC45A2 mutations cause oculocutaneous albinism type 4 (OCA4) and polymorphisms are associated with pigmentation variation, but the localization, function, and regulation of SLC45A2 and its variants remain unknown. We show that SLC45A2 localizes to a cohort of mature melanosomes that only partially overlaps with the cohort expressing the chloride channel OCA2. SLC45A2 expressed ectopically in HeLa cells localizes to lysosomes and raises lysosomal pH, suggesting that in melanocytes SLC45A2 expression, like OCA2 expression, results in the deacidification of maturing melanosomes to support melanin synthesis. Interestingly, OCA2 overexpression compensates for loss of SLC45A2 expression in pigmentation. Analyses of SLC45A2- and OCA2-deficient mouse melanocytes show that SLC45A2 likely functions later during melanosome maturation than OCA2. Moreover, the light skin-associated SLC45A2 allelic F374 variant restores only moderate pigmentation to SLC45A2-deficient melanocytes due to rapid proteasome-dependent degradation resulting in lower protein expression levels in melanosomes than the dark skin-associated allelic L374 variant. Our data suggest that SLC45A2 maintains melanosome neutralization that is initially orchestrated by transient OCA2 activity to support melanization at late stages of melanosome maturation, and that a common allelic variant imparts reduced activity due to protein instability.

Yerba Santa (Eriodictyon angustifolium and Eriodictyon californicum) has been used for many years in traditional medicine. However, the effect of Yerba Santa on melanogenesis has not yet been investigated. We aimed to assess the biological effects of Yerba Santa on hair pigmentation.Yerba Santa extracts were assessed for their cytological effects following X-ray irradiation treatment and then tested directly for the prevention of human hair greying. Ultra-performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) was utilized to identify the individual extract components.Eriodictyon angustifolium extract significantly increased melanin synthesis in the melanoma cell line through activation of the WNT/MITF/tyrosinase-signalling pathway. In contrast, E. californicum had no effect on melanin synthesis. E. angustifolium extract also demonstrated a protective effect against the damage induced by X-ray irradiation in human keratinocytes. Application of the extracts to subjects who had grey beards demonstrated a reduced number of grey beard hair per year specifically with the E. angustifolium extract. A significant decrease in grey head hair was also observed after application of E. angustifolium extract. Upregulation of gene expression related to melanin production and WNT signalling was observed after the application of E. angustifolium extract. Sterubin was the most abundant flavonoid detected by UPLC in E. angustifolium extract. In addition, sterubin showed the highest difference in terms of quantity, between E. angustifolium and E. californicum extract.Eriodictyon angustifolium extract, which is abundant in sterubin, may be suitable as a potential cosmetic and medical agent for the prevention and improvement of hair greying.Yerba Santa (Eriodictyon angustifolium et Eriodictyon californicum) est utilisé depuis de nombreuses années en médecine traditionnelle. Cependant, l'effet de Yerba Santa sur la mélanogenèse n'a pas encore été étudié. Notre objectif était d'évaluer les effets biologiques de Yerba Santa sur la pigmentation des cheveux. MÉTHODES: Les extraits de Yerba Santa ont été évalués pour leurs effets cytologiques après un traitement d'irradiation aux rayons X, puis testés directement pour la prévention du grisonnement des cheveux humains. La chromatographie liquide ultra-performante (UPLC) a été utilisée pour identifier les composants d'extrait individuels. RÉSULTATS: L'extrait d'E. angustifolium a augmenté de manière significative la synthèse de mélanine dans la lignée cellulaire du mélanome par l'activation de la voie de signalisation WNT/MITF/tyrosinase. En revanche, E. californicum n'a eu aucun effet sur la synthèse de mélanine. L'extrait d'E. angustifolium a également démontré un effet protecteur contre les dommages induits par l'irradiation aux rayons X dans les kératinocytes humains. L'application des extraits à des sujets qui avaient une barbe grise a démontré un nombre réduit de poils gris par an spécifiquement avec l'extrait d'E. angustifolium. Une diminution significative des cheveux gris a également été observée après l'application d'extrait d'E. angustifolium. Une régulation à la hausse de l'expression des gènes liée à la production de mélanine et à la signalisation WNT a été observée après l'application d'extrait d'E. angustifolium. La stérubine était le flavonoïde le plus abondant détecté par UPLC dans l'extrait d'E. angustifolium. De plus, la stérubine a montré la plus grande différence en termes de quantité entre E. angustifolium et E. californicum.L'extrait d'E. angustifolium, qui est abondant en stérubine, peut convenir comme agent cosmétique et médical potentiel pour la prévention et l'amélioration du grisonnement des cheveux.

This study aims to evaluate the effect of protocatechuic acid (PCA) on human hair follicle melanocytes (HFM). Normal primary HFM were isolated and cultured till logarithmic period of second passage, then treated with different concentrations of PCA (0.1–200 μmol L−1) to study the cell proliferation, melanin contents, tyrosinase activity and protein and mRNA expression of melanogenic genes (tyrosinase-related protein 1 (TRP-1), tyrosinase-related protein 2 (TRP-2), and microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF)) in the cultured HFM. In addition, we have also measured the contents of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione (GSH) in PCA treated HFM. Vitamin C was used as a positive control. The result showed that PCA can decrease the synthesis of melanin and the tyrosinase activity with IC 50 = 8.9 μmol L−1 and IC 50 = 6.4 μmol L−1, respectively, at the treatment time of 24 hours, without inducing any cytotoxicity in HFM cells. In addition, the mRNA transcription and protein expression levels of TRP-1, TRP-2 and MITF significantly decreased with a dose-dependent manner after 24-hour PCA treated in HFM cells. Furthermore, PCA has significantly increased the SOD and GSH activity in a dose-dependent manner for 24-hour PCA treatment. This study suggested that PCA has an inhibitory effect on the production of melanin through down-regulation of the expression of melanogenesis-related protein and the effect of anti-oxidation, which could be useful for the therapy of melanin overproduction or skin whitening.

Background: In Ayurvedic and Unani texts, many herbs and formulations are mentioned as complexion promoters having skin brightening and whitening effects that downregulate melanin synthesis. However, with the assistance of chromatographic techniques, further validation of scientific standardization is required. Objective: To validate individual herbs and formulations in the ancient literature, some scientific aspects are to be focused on, including standardization of herbs or herbal products consisting of the active compounds. Methods: Out of many herbs having complexion promoting properties, three herbs (Myristica fragrans, Hemidesmus indicus, and Inula racemosa) were selected for the study. In the present study, validated reverse phase (RP)-HPLC and high-performance TLC (HPTLC) methods were developed for standardization of the herbs. Results: It was observed that the quercetin present in M. fragrans was 0.62% (w/w) with a retention time (Rt) of 6.23 min, the ferulic acid present in H. indicus was 1.39% (w/w) with an Rt of 8.083 min, and the chlorogenic acid present in I. racemosa was 1.03% (w/w) with an Rt of 3.19 min. The HPTLC method showed 1.23% (w/w) of quercetin present in M. fragrans with a retardation factor (Rf) of 0.48, ferulic acid in H. indicus was 1.52% (w/w) with an Rf of 0.44, and chlorogenic acid was 1.09% (w/w) in I. racemosa with an Rf of 0.52. Conclusions: This specific and precise validated method can be useful for the quality evaluation and quantitative determination of the constituents in complexion-promoting herbs from Ayurveda and Unani systems of medicine. Highlights: The exploration of complexion promoters from Ayurveda and Unani; quality evaluation of complexion promoters herbs from Ayurveda and Unani; HPTLC and RP-HPLC analysis of herbal extracts used and their validation.

This paper aims to sketch an up-to-date phyto-pharmacological reports on Alpinia conchigera Griff. For this, published scientific reports found in the databases: PubMed, Science Direct and Google Scholar were considered. The findings suggest that A. conchigera contains various important secondary metabolites, including alkaloids, steroids, flavonoids, saponins, triterpenes, and phenols. Rhizomes contain essential oils. A. conchigera possesses various important biological activities such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and membrane stabilizing, anti-microbial, anthelmintic, larvicidal, anti-diarrheal and anti-motility, anti-cancer, anti-nociceptive, sedative, pesticidal, melanin synthesis inhibitory, anti-pyretic, and anti-atherothrombosis effects. The anti-cancer effects of A. conchigera and its derivatives have been found by causing cytotoxicity, cell cycle arrest, apoptosis, autophagy and anti-proliferative effects in the test systems. Of note, A. conchigera may be one of the best sources of phytotherapeutic lead compounds.

During infection of the host plant, various biological processes facilitate host invasion, including the physical invasion of the host, and subsequent adaptation to the host's internal environment. During these processes, cellular biological changes result in host adhesion, morphogenetic differentiation via the sensing of plant-derived signals, and maturation of infection structures via reorientation of the cytoskeleton. Changes in lipid and sugar metabolism in fungi generate energy for survival, turgor pressure, and melanin synthesis. Moreover, phytopathogenic fungi produce numerous types of effectors used in the evasion of host defense systems and to establish a suitable environment for nutrient exploitation. However, infection systems seem to vary between fungal species because of differences in their evolutionary origin.

Five indole derivatives, 1H-indol-7-ol (1), tryptophol (2), 3-indolepropionic acid (3), tryptophan (4), 3,3-di(1H-indol-3-yl)propane-1,2-diol (5) and two diketopiperazines, cyclo(L-Pro-L-Tyr) (6), cyclo[L-(4-hydroxyprolinyl)-L-leucine (7) along with one dihydrocinnamic acid (8) were isolated from Pantoea ananatis VERA8, that endophytic bacteria derived from Baccharoides anthelmintica roots. This is a first report towards an isolation of endophytic strains (funji or bacteria) from the B. anthelmintica herb. The synergetic properties of the total extract compositions, as well as effects of the pure isolated secondary metabolites evaluated on their melanin synthesis in murine B16 cells towards for vitiligo treatment.

Melanin is a common name for a group of biopolymers with the dominance of potential applications in medical sciences, cosmeceutical, bioremediation, and bioelectronic applications. The broad distribution of these pigments suggests their role to combat abiotic and biotic stresses in diverse life forms. Biosynthesis of melanin in fungi and bacteria occurs by oxidative polymerization of phenolic compounds predominantly by two pathways, 1,8-dihydroxynaphthalene [DHN] or 3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine [DOPA], resulting in different kinds of melanin, i.e., eumelanin, pheomelanin, allomelanin, pyomelanin, and neuromelanin. The enzymes responsible for melanin synthesis belong mainly to tyrosinase, laccase, and polyketide synthase families. Studies have shown that manipulating culture parameters, combined with recombinant technology, can increase melanin yield for large-scale production. Despite significant efforts, its low solubility has limited the development of extraction procedures, and heterogeneous structural complexity has impaired structural elucidation, restricting effective exploitation of their biotechnological potential. Innumerable studies have been performed on melanin pigments from different taxa of life in order to advance the knowledge about melanin pigments for their efficient utilization in diverse applications. These studies prompted an urgent need for a comprehensive review on melanin pigments isolated from microorganisms, so that such review encompassing biosynthesis, bioproduction, characterization, and potential applications would help researchers from diverse background to understand the importance of microbial melanins and to utilize the information from the review for planning studies on melanin. With this aim in mind, the present report compares conventional and modern ideas for environment-friendly extraction procedures for melanin. Furthermore, the characteristic parameters to differentiate between eumelanin and pheomelanin are also mentioned, followed by their biotechnological applications forming the basis of industrial utilization. There lies a massive scope of work to circumvent the bottlenecks in their isolation and structural elucidation methodologies.

Catecholamines function via G protein-coupled receptors, triggering an increase in intracellular levels of 3&prime, 5&prime, cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) in various cells. Catecholamine biosynthesis and the &beta, adrenergic receptor exist in melanocytes, thus, catecholamines may play critical roles in skin pigmentation. However, their action and mechanisms mediating melanogenesis in human skin have not yet been investigated. Therefore, we examined the potential anti-melanogenetic effect of carvedilol, a nonselective &beta, blocker with weak &alpha, 1-blocking activities. Carvedilol reduced melanin content and cellular tyrosinase activity without compromising cellular viability in normal human melanocytes as well as in mel-Ab immortalized mouse melanocytes. Carvedilol downregulated microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF), tyrosinase, tyrosinase-related protein (TRP)-1, and TRP-2. Carvedilol treatment led to the downregulation of phosphor-cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB). Moreover, the increase in cAMP levels upon treatment with forskolin reversed the anti-melanogenic action of carvedilol. In addition, carvedilol remarkably reduced the melanin index in ultraviolet-irradiated human skin cultures. Taken together, our results indicate that carvedilol effectively suppresses melanogenesis in human melanocytes and ex vivo human skin by inhibiting cAMP/protein kinase A/CREB signaling. The anti-melanogenic effects of carvedilol have potential significance for skin whitening agents.

The production of black pigments in bacteria was discovered more than a century ago and related to tyrosine metabolism. However, their diverse biological roles and the control of melanin synthesis in different bacteria have only recently been investigated. The broad distribution of these pigments suggests that they have an important role in a variety of organisms. Melanins protect microorganisms from many environmental stress conditions, ranging from ultraviolet radiation and toxic heavy metals to oxidative stress. Melanins can also affect bacterial interactions with other organisms and are important in pathogenesis and survival in many environments. Bacteria produce several types of melanin through dedicated pathways or as a result of enzymatic imbalances in altered metabolic routes. The control of the melanin synthesis in bacteria involves metabolic and transcriptional regulation, but many aspects remain still largely unknown. The diverse properties of melanins have spurred a large number of applications, and recent efforts have been done to produce the pigment at biotechnologically relevant scales. Fil: Pavan, María Elisa. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Departamento de Química Biológica; Argentina Fil: López, Nancy Beatriz. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Química Biológica de la Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Química Biológica de la Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales; Argentina Fil: Pettinari, María Julia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Química Biológica de la Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Química Biológica de la Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales; Argentina

A series of aryl sulfide derivatives was synthesized and evaluated for their anti-melanogenic activities. Several compounds, including 3e, 3i and 3q exhibited good anti-melanogenic activities. Among the derivatives, compound 3i showed good inhibitory effects against melanin synthesis and showed no toxicity in reconstituted human eye and skin tissues.

The various breeds of cats differ considerably one from the other, not only in terms of their different morphological features but also in terms of the colour, length, structure and texture of their coat. The feline coat has various functions, such as aesthetic and mimetic, heat regulation, perception of the body position through vibrissae and tylotrich pads, social and sexual communication, and acts as a barrier against mechanical, physical and chemical insults. In the first part of this chapter, the morphology and cycle of the hair are briefly introduced, including melanin synthesis. In the second part, the genetics of hair length, structure, texture, colour and colour patterns are detailed, providing a good description to understand the specific functional aspects of the feline coat.

Introduction The study investigated a natural solution for the hypopigmentary disorder, progressive macular hypomelanosis (PMH). The aim was to determine whether gold nanoparticles synthesized from Aspalathus linearis (Burm.f.) R.Dahlgren could be effective for PMH. Methods Gold nanoparticles (ALAuNPs) were synthesized using the ethanolic extract of A. linearis (ALEtOH) and tested, along with the extract for its regulatory effect of melanogenesis in human melanocytes and its antibacterial activity against Cutibacterium acnes (ATCC 6919 strain). Melanosome transfer was determined in a co-culture of normal human melanocytes and keratinocytes and was quantified using flow cytometry. Results The ALAuNPstab (AuNPs stabilized with gum arabic) and ALAuNPnon-stab (non-stabilized) exhibited significantly (P Conclusion This study confirmed that A. linearis and its biosynthesised gold nanoparticles stimulated melanin synthesis.

Background: Skin pigmentation is a broadly appearing phenomenon in nature which plays an important task of determining the appearance and biology of all vertebrates including human beings. Skin color is a crucial attribute, determined by the synthesis of melanin pigment within melanocytes by the process of melanogenesis and is regulated by many extrinsic as well as intrinsic factors. Tyrosinase catalyzes the key step of melanogenesis, dysfunction of tyrosinase leads to reduce melanin production which results in severe clinical and aesthetical problems of hypopigmentation. Therefore, the regulation of melanin production is an important strategy in the treatment of abnormal skin pigmentation for cosmetic and medicinal purpose. Method: The present review covers the various aspects of mammalian melanocyte biology which will help in the identification of key regulators of melanogenesis from pharmaceutical and pharmacological point of view. Further sections of the review focus on the dysfunctions of melanogenic pathways, which result in severe clinical and aesthetical problems of hypopigmentation. Conclusion: We have also attempted to highlight the ability of available scientifically validated plant extracts to naturally enhance melanin synthesis in order to cure hypopigmentation.

Skin color is determined by the number of melanin granules produced by melanocytes that are transferred to keratinocytes. Melanin synthesis and the distribution of melanosomes to keratinocytes within the epidermal melanin unit (EMU) within the skin of vitiligo patients have been poorly studied. The ultrastructure and distribution of melanosomes in melanocytes and surrounding keratinocytes in perilesional vitiligo and normal skin were investigated using transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Furthermore, we performed a quantitative analysis of melanosome distribution within the EMUs with scatter plot. Melanosome count within keratinocytes increased significantly compared with melanocytes in perilesional stable vitiligo (P

목적: 본 연구는 노루궁뎅이 버섯 추출물의 멜라닌 합성 및 산화 스트레스 조절에 미치는 영향을 조사하는데 그 목적이 있다. 방법: 노루궁뎅이 버섯은 각각 95% 에탄올과 증류수로 추출하였고, 에탄올 추출물은 다시 증류수와 클로로포름으로 분획하였 다. 멜라닌 합성량은 B16F1 세포를 통해 확인하였고, 노루궁뎅이 버섯 추출물의 세포 독성은 B16F1 세포와 HaCaT 세포를 통해 MTT assay 방법으로 확인하였다. 또한, β-catenin/Tcf 활성은 luciferase assay를 통해 측정하였다. 항산화 효과는 TBHP 처리 후 DCFDA 발현정도로 확인하였다. 결과: Wnt 신호전달기전의 리간드인 Wnt3a는 β-catenin의 신호전달 및 멜라닌 합성을 증 가시키는 반면, 노루궁뎅이 버섯 추출물은 Wnt3a에 의해 유도된 멜라닌 합성을 감소시켰다. 또한, 노루궁뎅이 버섯 추출물은 농 도의존적으로 β-catenin 활성도를 억제하였고, 산화 스트레스가 유도된 케라티노사이트에서의 항산화 효과를 나타내었다. 그리고 본 연구에서 사용된 케라티노사이트와 멜라노마 세포에서의 세포 독성은 크지 않은 것으로 나타났다. 결론: 노루궁뎅이 버섯 추출물은 미백기능성 및 항산화 화장품 소재로서의 가능성이 있을 것으로 사료된다

Cuticle tanning occurs in insects immediately after hatching or molting. During this process, the cuticle becomes dark and rigid due to melanin deposition and protein crosslinking. In insects, different from mammals, melanin is synthesized mainly from dopamine, which is produced from DOPA by the enzyme DOPA decarboxylase. In this work, we report that the silencing of the RpAadc-2 gene, which encodes the putative Rhodnius prolixus DOPA decarboxylase enzyme, resulted in a reduction in nymph survival, with a high percentage of treated insects dying during the ecdysis process or in the expected ecdysis period. Those treated insects that could complete ecdysis presented a decrease in cuticle pigmentation and hardness after molting. In adult females, the knockdown of AADC-2 resulted in a reduction in the hatching of eggs; the nymphs that managed to hatch failed to tan the cuticle and were unable to feed. Despite the failure in cuticle tanning, knockdown of the AADC-2 did not increase the susceptibility to topically applied deltamethrin, a pyrethroid insecticide. Additionally, our results showed that the melanin synthesis pathway did not play a major role in the detoxification of the excess (potentially toxic) tyrosine from the diet, an essential trait for hematophagous arthropod survival after a blood meal., Centro Regional de Estudios Genómicos

Aiming at accelerating the application of molecular markers in the genetic improvement of quails, six EST-SSR markers were successfully developed using a bioinformatics method. Polymorphisms of three quail populations (Chinese yellow quail, China black quail and Korean quail) were detected. The results showed that there were 2-6 alleles in six EST-SSR markers. Mean polymorphism information contents of Chinese yellow quails, Chinese black quails and Korean quails were determined as 0.5451, 0.4962 and 0.4937, respectively. Average heterozygosity valuesof 0.6134, 0.5759 and 0.5613 were calculated. Among the six EST-SSR markers, three were highly polymorphic, and the other three were moderately polymorphic. The newly-developed six EST-SSR markers may be used to determine the genetic diversity of quails. The six EST-SSR markers identified were related to carbohydrate metabolism and melanin synthesis, but their specific mechanisms need to be further analyzed.

Sexual signalling is predicted to shape the evolution of sex-specific ornamentation, and establishing the costs and benefits of ornamentation and the information that ornamentation provides to receivers is necessary to evaluating this adaptive function. Here, we assessed the adaptive function of a common colour ornament in insects, melanin wing ornamentation, using the dragonfly Pachydiplax longipennis. We hypothesized that greater ornamentation would improve territory-holding success by decreasing aggression that males receive from territorial rivals, but that more ornamented males may have shorter lifespans. Using mark-recapture field observations, we found that more ornamented males had greater territory-holding success and that viability selection did not act on wing melanization. We then compared the aggression of territorial rivals to decoy males before and after experimentally augmenting wing melanization, finding that males significantly reduced aggression following the manipulation. We next hypothesized that wing melanization would signal fighting ability to territorial rivals by reflecting condition via investment in the costly melanin synthesis pathway. We observed a positive relationship between ornamentation and the likelihood of winning territorial disputes, suggesting that wing melanization provides information about fighting ability to rivals. We also found a positive relationship between melanin-based immune defence and ornamentation, supporting a link between the signal and condition. We conclude that wing melanization is a condition-related signal of fighting ability and suggest that this may be a common mechanism promoting the evolution of melanin ornamentation.

Background Abnormal deposition of melanin may cause an aesthetic skin problem; therefore, the control of unwanted excessive melanin synthesis is the major goal of cosmetic research. Objectives To identify novel tyrosinase (TYR) inhibitors from marine plants and examine their cellular antimelanogenic effects. Methods The extracts of 50 marine plants endemic to Korea were screened against human TYR. Active constituents were then isolated from the selected plant extracts that showed potential and their chemical structures elucidated. Furthermore, their antimelanogenic effects were examined using murine melanoma B16/F10 cells and human epidermal melanocytes (HEM). Results Among the tested extracts, that of Phyllospadix iwatensis Makino exhibited the strongest human TYR inhibitory activity. The active constituents were purified from the butanol fraction of the P. iwatensis extract and identified as hispidulin 7-sulfate and luteolin 7-sulfate. Luteolin 7-sulfate inhibited human TYR more strongly than hispidulin 7-sulfate, luteolin, hispidulin and arbutin. Furthermore, luteolin 7-sulfate showed lower cytotoxicity than luteolin in both B16/F10 cells and HEM. Luteolin 7-sulfate attenuated cellular melanin synthesis more effectively in B16/F10 cells and HEM stimulated by α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone and l-tyrosine than arbutin. Conclusions This study demonstrates that luteolin 7-sulfate isolated from P. iwatensis is a human TYR inhibitor with advantageous antimelanogenic properties, and would be useful for development as a therapeutic agent for the control of unwanted skin pigmentation.

Oculocutaneous albinism (OCA) is a genetic disorder of melanin synthesis that results in hypopigmentation in hair, skin and eyes. OCA has been reported in individuals from all ethnic backgrounds but it is more common among those with Europeans ancestry. OCA is heterogeneous group of disorders and seven types of OCA are caused by mutations in TYR (OCA1), OCA2 (OCA2), TYRP1 (OCA3), SLC45A2 (OCA4), SLC24A5 (OCA6) and C10oRF11 (OCA7) genes. However, MC1R gene variants have been reported that modify OCA2 phenotype but the knowledge about the function ofMC1R gene in melanogenesis, and genotype-phenotype association, in case of OCA, is limited. In this review article we present a comprehensive description of classification of OCA, role of MSH-R in melanin synthesis, the sequence variations in MC1R and their association with OCA. This review will enhance our understanding of MC1R gene variants involved in human OCA2 phenotype.

Summary Looking young for one's age has been a desire since time immemorial. This desire is attributable to the belief that appearance reflects health and fecundity. Indeed, perceived age predicts survival [1] and associates with molecular markers of aging such as telomere length [2]. Understanding the underlying molecular biology of perceived age is vital for identifying new aging therapies among other purposes, but studies are lacking thus far. As a first attempt, we performed genome-wide association studies (GWASs) of perceived facial age and wrinkling estimated from digital facial images by analyzing over eight million SNPs in 2,693 elderly Dutch Europeans from the Rotterdam Study. The strongest genetic associations with perceived facial age were found for multiple SNPs in the MC1R gene (p −7 ). This effect was enhanced for a compound heterozygosity marker constructed from four pre-selected functional MC1R SNPs (p = 2.69 × 10 −12 ), which was replicated in 599 Dutch Europeans from the Leiden Longevity Study (p = 0.042) and in 1,173 Europeans of the TwinsUK Study (p = 3 × 10 −3 ). Individuals carrying the homozygote MC1R risk haplotype looked on average up to 2 years older than non-carriers. This association was independent of age, sex, skin color, and sun damage (wrinkling, pigmented spots) and persisted through different sun-exposure levels. Hence, a role for MC1R in youthful looks independent of its known melanin synthesis function is suggested. Our study uncovers the first genetic evidence explaining why some people look older for their age and provides new leads for further investigating the biological basis of how old or young people look.

Kummerowia striata is a traditional medicine used for the therapy of inflammation-related diseases. Herein, we investigated the anti-melanogenic and antioxidant activities of an ethanolic extract of K. striata (EKS) using a number of in vitro and cell culture model systems. The anti-melanogenic effect was assessed in B16F10 melanoma cells based on melanin synthesis and in vitro tyrosinase inhibitory activity and the anti-oxidant activity assays were performed using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2ʹ-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) diammonium salt (ABTS); EKS exhibited strong anti-oxidant activities in both the assays. The expression of tyrosinase, tyrosinase-related protein 1, tyrosinase-related protein 2, and microphthalmia-associated transcription factor was decreased in a dose-dependent manner at mRNA and protein levels upon treatment with EKS. Notably, EKS did not affect the cell viability at all the EKS concentrations used in this study, indicating that EKS-mediated inhibition of melanin synthesis is not accompanied with cytotoxicity. Collectively, our findings demonstrate, for the first time, that EKS possesses anti-melanogenic and anti-oxidant activities, and suggest that further evaluation and development of EKS as a functional supplement or cosmetic might be useful for skin whitening and for reduction wrinkles.

Multiple cave populations of the teleost Astyanax mexicanus have repeatedly reduced or lost eye and body pigmentation during adaptation to dark caves. Albinism, the complete absence of melanin pigmentation, is controlled by loss-of-function mutations in the oca2 gene. The mutation is accompanied by an increase in the melanin synthesis precursor l -tyrosine, which is also a precursor for catecholamine synthesis. In this study, we show a relationship between pigmentation loss, enhanced catecholamine synthesis and responsiveness to anaesthesia, determined as a proxy for catecholamine-related behaviours. We demonstrate that anaesthesia resistance (AR) is enhanced in multiple depigmented and albino cavefish (CF), inversely proportional to the degree of pigmentation loss, controlled by the oca2 gene, and can be modulated by experimental manipulations of l -tyrosine or the catecholamine norepinephrine (NE). Moreover, NE is increased in the brains of multiple albino and depigmented CF relative to surface fish. The results provide new insights into the evolution of pigment modification because NE controls a suite of adaptive behaviours similar to AR that may represent a target of natural selection. Thus, understanding the relationship between loss of pigmentation and AR may provide insight into the role of natural selection in the evolution of albinism via a melanin–catecholamine trade-off.

Squid ink is an alarm substance that both confuses predators and alerts conspecifics to the presence ofdanger. Although the ejection ofink is a powerful visual stimulus, studies also indicate a chemical component to the signal. Squid ink is composed mainly ofmelanin pig ments, but the nonpigmented portion ofthe ink contains the enzymes and precursors of melanin synthesis. Our previous behavioral studies showed that squid olfactory organs detect L-dopa, a key chemical in melanogenesis. Squid olfactory neurons also respond to dopamine, a bio genie amine not previously described in squid ink. We performed HPLC on ink taken from the ink sacs of adult Loligo opalescens. The ink was conjugated with ortho phthaldialdehyde (OPA) and injected into the HPLC, and amine-containing compounds were detected fluoromet rically. Standard curves constructed for L-dopa and do pamine allowed quantitation from individual ink sacs. We found that L-dopa was present in undiluted ink at a mean concentration of 1. 15 mM and was significantly greater than the mean dopamine concentration of 0. 19 mM. These values are greater than those at which both compounds are effective in behavioral and electro physiological experiments. In addition we found that an unidentified antioxidant in the ink may prevent rapid oxidation of L-dopa and dopamine following dilution in seawater.

Recently many effort focused to understand the mechanical insights of melanogenesis to develop the agent for hyper-pigmentation. So this study was performed to investigate the depigmentation of Vitex rotundifolia. With B16F10 mouse melanoma cell, we have seen inhibition of the tyrosinase, MITF, TRP-1, TRP-2, and melanin synthesis, which eventually were dose dependently decreased by Vitex rotundifolia. Specially, Vitex rotundifolia decreased the protein levels of tyrosinase and TRP-1. In conclusion, Vitex rotundifolia showed the whitening activity in all the experiments mentioned above and we expect that it can be used for preventing melanin synthesis.

A direct relationship between biofilm formation and melanogenesis in Shewanella colwelliana with increased oyster recruitment is already established. Previously, S. colwelliana was grown in a newly patented biofilm-cultivation device, the conico-cylindrical flask (CCF), offering interchangeable hydrophobic/hydrophilic surfaces. Melanization was enhanced when S. colwelliana was cultivated in a hydrophobic vessel compared with a hydrophilic vessel. In the present study, melanogenesis in the CCF was positively correlated with increased architectural parameters of the biofilm (mean thickness and biovolume obtained by confocal laser scanning microscopy) and melanin gene (melA) expression observed by densitometry. Niche intertidal conditions were mimicked in a process operated in an ultra-low-speed rotating disk bioreactor, which demonstrated enhanced biofilm formation, melanogenesis, exopolysaccharide synthesis and melA gene expression compared with a process where 12-h periodic immersion and emersion was prevented. The wettability properties of the settling plane as well as intermittent wetting and drying, which influenced biofilm formation and melA expression, may affect oyster settlement in nature.

Three-dimensional (3D) spheroid culture has recently become a valuable tool to evaluate the utility of treatments that better mirror biological features and exhibit high concordance with in vivo conditions. Here, by using the 3D spheroid method, we investigated cell morphology, proliferation, melanin content, tyrosinase activity, and cAMP production. During 3D speroid cultures, melanin biosynthesis was observed and the amount of melanin continuously increased until cell proliferation slowed down. Up-regulation of the cAMP pathway enhanced tyrosinase activity, allowing melanin synthesis. However, after treatment with depigmenting agents, melanin content was reduced. These results indicate that 3D spheroid culture method is an important tool to study melanin biosynthesis, which enables us to overcome several limitations found in the 2D adherent cell culture mehtod.

Repetitive suberythemal UVA and/or UVB exposures were used to generate comparable UV-induced tans in human skin over the course of 2 weeks. In order to evaluate the potential photoprotective values of those UVA- and/or UVB- induced tans and to avoid the confounding issue of residual UV-induced DNA damage, we waited 1 week before challenging those areas with a 1.5 MED dose of UVA+UVB after which we measure DNA damage. The results show that the type of UV used to induce skin pigmentation affects the redistribution of melanin in the skin and/or de novo melanin synthesis. The UVA-induced tans failed to even provide a minimal SPF of 1.5, which suggests that producing a tan with UVA-rich sunlamps prior to a holiday or vacation is completely counterproductive.

Objectives : In this study, we investigated the effect of ethanol extract from Rosa rugosa Thunb. flowers(ERF) on the activities of antioxidant, antiwrinkle and whitening. Methods : We measured antioxidant efficacy of ERF by using 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl(DPPH) assay. Also we confirmed the inhibitory effect of ERF on collagenase activity and melanin synthesis by using collagenase assay kit and dihydroxiphenylalanine staining, respectively. To evaluate the anti-inflammatory effects of ERF, we examined the inflammatory mediator IL-6. Results : ERF showed highly efficacy in DPPH radical scavenging activity. ERF dose-dependently suppressed collagenase activity. Ultraviolet-induced production of IL-6 decreased by ERF treatment. In B16F10 cell, ERF significantly reduced tyrosinase activity and melanin synthesis. Conclusions : From the above results, it was indicated that ERF could be utilized as anti-aging and whitening cosmetic ingredients.

Melanin, the compound primarily responsible in humans for hair, eye and skin pigmentation, is produced by melanocytes through a complicated process called melanogenesis that is catalyzed by tyrosinase and other tyrosinase-related proteins. The abnormal loss of melanin causes dermatological problems such as vitiligo. Hence the regulation of melanogenesis and tyrosinase activity is very important for treating hypopigmentary disorders. Many melanogenesis stimulators have been discovered during the past decade. This article reviews recent advances in research on extracts and active ingredients of plants, synthesized compounds with stimulating effect on melanin synthesis and tyrosinase activity, as well as their influence on the expression of related proteins and possible signaling pathways for the design and development of novel anti-vitiligo agents.

Stem bark extracts of Fraxinus rhynchophylla Hance were found to contain two major bioactive components,esculetin and esculin. Esculetin substantially inhibited melanogenesis in B16F10 melanoma cells, with an IC50 value of2.8 μm, and reduced melanin synthesis in Melan-A cells. Moreover, esculetin suppressed melanin biosynthesis by inhibitingmushroom tyrosinase activity, with an IC50 value of 40 μM. Taken together, these results suggest that esculetincould serve as an effective skin-lightening agent that inhibits melanin production by regulating the activity of melanogenicenzymes.

Dendrobium candidum is one of the well-known orchid on traditional and rare medicinal herb in China. Weartificially cultured protocorm-like body and multiple shoots using the bioreactor culture system from Dendrobium candidumand experimented an efficacy as a cosmetic ingredient for skin care. Several studies previously have reported anti-tumor, wound healing and immunological function of Dendrobium candidum but other efficacies were not well known.In the present study, we investigated the cosmetic efficacy to know applicable value of protocorm-like body and multipleshoots cultured from Dendrobium candidum as a cosmetic ingredient. The biological activities of extracts from protocorm-like body, multiple shoots, aerial part and underground part of Dendrobium candidum were investigated. Resultswere found that extracts of protocorm-like body are superior to other extracts (underground part, aerial part and multipleshoots extracts) on anti-oxidant effect. Also, protocorm-like body extract contained the phenolic and flavonoid compoundsmore than aerial part, underground part and multiple shoots extracts. In addition, we investigated skin whiteningeffect related to whitening of skin. In tyrosinase activity and melanin synthesis assay, multiple shoots extract is superiorto other extracts (aerial part, underground part and protocorm-like body), on inhibitory effect of tyrosinase activity andmelanin synthesis respectively. These results indicate that the protocorm-like body and multiple shoots extracts cultured from Dendrobium candidum presents a new possibility of being applicable to skin improvement as a cosmetic ingredient.

Adaptative significance of melanin-based coloration in birds remains poorly recognized. It has been suggested that genes responsible for melanin synthesis may have pleiotropic effect on several physiological and behavioural functions, including immune defence. For this reason, we could expect that the expression of melanin-based plumage coloration should covary with different condition-related phenotypic traits via regulation of pathogen/parasite resistance. The aim of this study was to test this hypothesis in common snipe Gallinago gallinago, a species that exhibits conspicuous variation in the black eumelanism of underwing plumage. The study was conducted in central Poland, where common snipe were captured during autumn migration. We found that after accounting for the effects of age, sex and date of capture, underwing coloration correlated with nutritional state of snipes, as more extensively melanised individuals had higher plasma concentrations of triglycerides, total protein and albumin. Dark underwing coloration was also associated with lower heterophil/lymphocyte (H/L) ratio, suggesting better resistance of eumelanic individuals to physiological stress. Finally, adult males with darker underwings had lower asymmetry in wing shape (wingtip convexity), which indicated their higher developmental stability. In conclusion, melanin-based coloration may be considered an honest indicator of phenotypic quality in common snipe.

The L374F polymorphism of the SLC45A2 gene, encoding the membrane-associated transporter protein that plays an important role in melanin synthesis, has been suggested to be associated with skin color in human populations. In this study, the detailed distribution of the 374f and 374l alleles has been investigated in 2,581 unrelated subjects from 36 North, East, West, and Central African populations. We found once more the highly significant (p < 0.001) correlation coefficient (r = 0.957) cline of 374f frequencies with degrees of latitude in European and North African populations. Almost all the African populations located below 16° of latitude are fixed for the 374l allele. Peul, Toucouleur, and Soninke populations have 374l allele frequencies of 0.06, 0.03, and 0.03, respectively.

The excrement of silkworms (Bombyx mori L.), referred to here as silkworm droppings (SDs), is used as a traditional drug in eastern medicine to treat skin diseases such as urticaria and atopy. However, the depigmentation effects of SDs have not previously been evaluated. We focused on the depigmentation effect of a methanol extract of SDs and isolated components of the extract using a zebrafish model system. (+)-Dehydrovomifoliol (M-1), (6R,7E,9R)-9-hydroxy-4,7-megastigmadien-3-one (M-2), (3S,5R,8R)-3,5-dihydroxymegastigma-6,7-dien-9-one (M-3), roseoside (M-4), and citroside A (M-5) were isolated from only SDs extract (SDE), and chemical structures were identified through spectroscopic methods. Toxicity of SDE was evaluated by assessing its effect on the viability of human fibroblast cells and the hatching rate of zebrafish embryos. In addition, the depigmentation ability of SDE and isolated constituents was evaluated using a zebrafish model. Binary threshold, histograms, and the size of the black spots on the dorsal region of zebrafish larvae were analyzed using image analysis tools. Finally, SDE is a non-toxic material and has a dose-dependent depigmentation effect in zebrafish larvae. Moreover, various doses of compounds isolated from SDE, namely, M-1 to M-5, had a depigmentation effect. In particular, M-5 inhibited melanin synthesis in melanocytes stimulated by α-melanocyte stimulating hormone (α-MSH). Together, our results suggest that SDs can be used for depigmentation purposes in health and/or cosmetic applications.

Aiming at accelerating the application of molecular markers in the genetic improvement of quails, six EST-SSR markers were successfully developed using a bioinformatics method. Polymorphisms of three quail populations (Chinese yellow, China black and Korean quail) were detected. The results showed that there were 2-6 alleles in six EST-SSR markers. The mean polymorphism information contents of Chinese yellow , China blackand Korean quail were 0.5451, 0.4962 and 0.4937, respectively. The average heterozygosity values were 0.6134, 0.5759 and 0.5613. Among the six EST-SSR markers, three were highly polymorphicand the others were moderately polymorphic. The newly-developed six EST-SSR markers may be used to determine the genetic diversity of quails. The six EST-SSR markers identified were related to carbohydrate metabolism and melanin synthesis, but the specific mechanisms need to be further analyzed.

In metazoans, foreign molecules from bacteria or fungi, pathogens, parasites, or chemicals can generate serious stress stimuli, activating multiple humoral and cellular responses of innate immunity, which is the first line of defense for organisms. In invertebrates, the presence of an ancestral defense, based on a mix of combined immune-neuroendocrine responses, generates an efficient repertoire of reactions. Here we propose a summary of the protective events activated according to the cellular needs, the type of involved tissue/organ, or the specific lifetime, focusing on emerging concepts regarding solutions commonly utilized by immunocytes. A new player in various protective responses is “functional amyloidogenesis,” which is a basic event involved not only in melanin synthesis but also in detoxification processes against the overproduction of reactive oxygen species.

This study involved observation of the inhibitory effect of 70% EtOH and water extracts from Doinseunggitang on melanin synthesis, tyrosinase activity, and western blotting using B16F10 melanoma cells. Doinseunggitang extracts inhibited melanin synthesis and tyrosinase activity in a dependent manner. As a result, it was found that Doinseunggitang 70% EtOH extracts inhibit melanin synthesis and tyrosinase activity, respectively, by 40% and 51%. In addition, western blotting analysis showed that 70% EtOH extracts inhibited tyrosinase, MITF, TRP-1, and TRP-2 expression. These results show that 70% ethanol extracts of Doinseunggitang could be developed as a skin whitening material in cosmetics.

In this study, we investigated the antioxidant and melanin synthesis inhibitory properties of gamma-irradiated laminarin. Antioxidant activities as measured by ferric-reducing antioxidant potential values and 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging activity were found to be greater in irradiated laminarin than in nonirradiated laminarin. However, nonirradiated and irradiated laminarins did not exhibit significant differences in β-carotene bleaching assays. Moreover, inhibitory activity against melanin synthesis in B16BL6 melanoma cells was increased by gamma-irradiated laminarin. The content of reducing sugars in laminarin was found to increase with increased irradiation doses. These results and the molecular weight measured by gel permeation chromatography indicate that laminarin is degraded to a low molecular weight form by the scission of glycosidic bonds. Overall, low molecular weight laminarin may have beneficial biological properties, and gamma irradiation may be an effective method of producing low molecular weight laminarin. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS Laminarin is a type of storage polysaccharide derived from seaweed. Because of its indigestibility in the upper gastrointestinal tract, laminarin is considered as a dietary fiber. Other beneficial biological properties have been attributed to laminarin, but studies have shown these properties to be ineffective. Therefore, in this study, laminarin was degraded by gamma irradiation to enhance the effects of these biological properties. We observed that gamma-irradiated laminarin had higher antioxidative and melanin synthesis inhibitory activities than nonirradiated laminarin did. The results of this study suggest that laminarin may provide dietary benefits beyond its use as an effective dietary fiber.