Inhibitory Effect and Mechanism of Scutellarein on Melanogenesis

Fairer skin is preferred in many Asian countries and there is a high demand for skin whitening and lightening products. However, in recent years, problems related to the safety of using whitening agents have emerged. This study demonstrates that plant-derived scutellarein effectively inhibits melano...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Liyun Dai, Lihao Gu, Kazuhisa Maeda
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2021-02-01
Series:Cosmetics
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2079-9284/8/1/15
_version_ 1797396558837186560
author Liyun Dai
Lihao Gu
Kazuhisa Maeda
author_facet Liyun Dai
Lihao Gu
Kazuhisa Maeda
author_sort Liyun Dai
collection DOAJ
description Fairer skin is preferred in many Asian countries and there is a high demand for skin whitening and lightening products. However, in recent years, problems related to the safety of using whitening agents have emerged. This study demonstrates that plant-derived scutellarein effectively inhibits melanogenesis in B16 melanoma cells. However, baicalein, which is similar to scutellarein in its chemical structure, does not show any inhibitory effect on melanogenesis. Cellular tyrosinase activity is decreased by scutellarein in a dose-dependent manner. No cytotoxicity is observed at the effective concentration range. Additionally, both the protein and mRNA levels of tyrosinase are significantly decreased by scutellarein. Further, the risk of leukoderma development also is determined by evaluating the production of free hydroxyl radicals (˙OH); scutellarein treatment does not induce ˙OH production. Scutellarein shows no risk of causing leukoderma. Our results suggest that scutellarein or plant extracts containing high concentrations of scutellarein have the potential to inhibit melanin production and serve as cosmetic skin-lightening agents.
first_indexed 2024-03-09T00:53:08Z
format Article
id doaj.art-fb717156b0e6431492b6c76b0025726d
institution Directory Open Access Journal
issn 2079-9284
language English
last_indexed 2024-03-09T00:53:08Z
publishDate 2021-02-01
publisher MDPI AG
record_format Article
series Cosmetics
spelling doaj.art-fb717156b0e6431492b6c76b0025726d2023-12-11T17:07:27ZengMDPI AGCosmetics2079-92842021-02-01811510.3390/cosmetics8010015Inhibitory Effect and Mechanism of Scutellarein on MelanogenesisLiyun Dai0Lihao Gu1Kazuhisa Maeda2Bionics Program, Tokyo University of Technology Graduate School, 1404-1 Katakuramachi, Hachioji City, Tokyo 192-0982, JapanBionics Program, Tokyo University of Technology Graduate School, 1404-1 Katakuramachi, Hachioji City, Tokyo 192-0982, JapanBionics Program, Tokyo University of Technology Graduate School, 1404-1 Katakuramachi, Hachioji City, Tokyo 192-0982, JapanFairer skin is preferred in many Asian countries and there is a high demand for skin whitening and lightening products. However, in recent years, problems related to the safety of using whitening agents have emerged. This study demonstrates that plant-derived scutellarein effectively inhibits melanogenesis in B16 melanoma cells. However, baicalein, which is similar to scutellarein in its chemical structure, does not show any inhibitory effect on melanogenesis. Cellular tyrosinase activity is decreased by scutellarein in a dose-dependent manner. No cytotoxicity is observed at the effective concentration range. Additionally, both the protein and mRNA levels of tyrosinase are significantly decreased by scutellarein. Further, the risk of leukoderma development also is determined by evaluating the production of free hydroxyl radicals (˙OH); scutellarein treatment does not induce ˙OH production. Scutellarein shows no risk of causing leukoderma. Our results suggest that scutellarein or plant extracts containing high concentrations of scutellarein have the potential to inhibit melanin production and serve as cosmetic skin-lightening agents.https://www.mdpi.com/2079-9284/8/1/15scutellareinmelanogenesistyrosinasehydroxyl radical
spellingShingle Liyun Dai
Lihao Gu
Kazuhisa Maeda
Inhibitory Effect and Mechanism of Scutellarein on Melanogenesis
Cosmetics
scutellarein
melanogenesis
tyrosinase
hydroxyl radical
title Inhibitory Effect and Mechanism of Scutellarein on Melanogenesis
title_full Inhibitory Effect and Mechanism of Scutellarein on Melanogenesis
title_fullStr Inhibitory Effect and Mechanism of Scutellarein on Melanogenesis
title_full_unstemmed Inhibitory Effect and Mechanism of Scutellarein on Melanogenesis
title_short Inhibitory Effect and Mechanism of Scutellarein on Melanogenesis
title_sort inhibitory effect and mechanism of scutellarein on melanogenesis
topic scutellarein
melanogenesis
tyrosinase
hydroxyl radical
url https://www.mdpi.com/2079-9284/8/1/15
work_keys_str_mv AT liyundai inhibitoryeffectandmechanismofscutellareinonmelanogenesis
AT lihaogu inhibitoryeffectandmechanismofscutellareinonmelanogenesis
AT kazuhisamaeda inhibitoryeffectandmechanismofscutellareinonmelanogenesis