• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.105-113
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• 2006

Objective: To investigate the role of ERK and $PPAR{\gamma}$ on the $TGF-{\beta}1$ induced human endometrial stromal cell decidualization in vitro. Method: Endometrial stromal cells are cultured under the following condition: DMEM/F12 (10% FBS, 1 nM E2 and 100 nM P4). $TGF-{\beta}1$ (5 ng/ml), Rosiglitazone (50 nM), and PD98059 ($20{\mu}M$) were added according to experimental purposes. Trypan-Blue and hematocytometer were utilized to count cell number. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and western blotting were utilized to detect proteins. Result: $TGF-{\beta}1$ inhibited proliferation of cultured human endometrial stromal cells and induced expression of PGE2 and prolactin. This effect was mediated by Smad and ERK activation. Administration of rosiglitazone, $PPAR{\gamma}$ agonist, prevented $TGF-{\beta}1$ effect on cell proliferation. Furthermore, Rosiglitazone inhibited $TGF-{\beta}1$ induced activation of ERK, consequently reduced PGE2 and prolactin production. Conclusion: $TGF-{\beta}1$ induced decidualization of endometrial stromal cell through Smad and ERK phosphorylation. $PPAR{\gamma}$ acts as a negative regulator of human ndometrial cell decidualization in vitro.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.95-100
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• 2015

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to research the whitening effects and developing by cosmetics of the extract fromDioscoreae Rhizoma, which is one of the most popular health-promoting herb in herbal medications.Methods : We performed tyrosinase inhibition assay, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and western blot for whitening effects. Also we measured MTT assay for cell viability.Results : The results were obtained as follows : For whitening effect, tyrosinase inhibition rate of extract fromDioscoreae Rhizomashowed more than 42.28% at 1,000 ㎍/㎖ concentration. Cell toxicity effect on melanoma cells (B16F10) of extract fromDioscoreae Rhizomashowed 81.97% with toxicity at 50 ㎍/㎖ concentration. So we were measured at a concentrations of 5, 10 and 50 ㎍/㎖ in all experiments involving cell. In addition, whitening related mRNAs including microphthalmia associated transcription factor (MITF), tyrosinase related protein-1 (TRP-1), tyrosinase related protein-2 (TRP-2), tyrosinase were reduced byDioscoreae Rhizoma. We also foundDioscoreae Rhizomatransiently decreased protein kinase A (PKA) which is known to be upstream to the down regulation of MITF and tyrosinase. But phosphorylation of extracellular signal related kinase (pERK) were increased byDioscoreae Rhizoma. These results imply thatDioscoreae Rhizomadecrease melanogenesis via ERK activation and subsequent down regulation of MITF and tyrosinase.Conclusions : Therefore, all these findings suggested the potent usage ofDioscoreae Rhizomaas materials of functional cosmetics by confirming whitening activity related with melanin content.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.47 no.6
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• pp.714-725
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• 2023

Background: Our previous investigation indicated that the preparation of Panax ginseng Meyer (P. ginseng) inhibited melanogenesis. It comprised salicylic acid (SA), protocatechuic acid (PA), p-coumaric acid (p-CA), vanillic acid (VA), and caffeic acid (CA). In this investigation, the regulatory effects of P. ginseng phenolic acid monomers on melanin production were assessed. Methods: In vitro and in vivo impact of phenolic acid monomers were assessed. Results: SA, PA, p-CA and VA inhibited tyrosinase (TYR) to reduce melanin production, whereas CA had the opposite effects. SA, PA, p-CA and VA significantly downregulated the melanocortin 1 receptor (MC1R), cycle AMP (cAMP), protein kinase A (PKA), cycle AMP-response element-binding protein (CREB), microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF) pathway, reducing mRNA and protein levels of TYR, tyrosinase-related protein 1 (TYRP1), and TYRP2. Moreover, CA treatment enhanced the cAMP, PKA, and CREB pathways to promote MITF mRNA level and phosphorylation. It also alleviated MITF protein level in α-MSH-stimulated B16F10 cells, comparable to untreated B16F10, increasing the expression of phosphorylation glycogen synthase kinase 3β (p-GSK3β), β-catenin, p-ERK/ERK, and p-p38/p38. Furthermore, the GSK3β inhibitor promoted p-GSK3β and p-MITF expression, as observed in CA-treated cells. Moreover, p38 and ERK inhibitors inhibited CA-stimulated p-p38/p38, p-ERK/ERK, and p-MITF increase, which had negative binding energies with MC1R, as depicted by molecular docking. Conclusion: P. ginseng roots' phenolic acid monomers can safely inhibit melanin production by bidirectionally regulating melanin synthase transcription. Furthermore, they reduced MITF expression via MC1R/cAMP/PKA signaling pathway and enhanced MITF post-translational modification via Wnt/mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathway.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.1-12
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• 2015

Objective : The goal of this study is to identify the effects of extract ofGentianae sino-ornata(GSO) on the anti-oxidative activity of skin.For this purpose, several functions of GSO were analyzed in terms of skin-lightening activity and wrinkle improvement. Methods : Cell viability was measured by neutral red (NR) assay, and GSO showed highly efficacy in DPPH radical scavenging activity. The level of tyrosinase and matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) in media was analyzed by ELISA kit, and the expressions of p-JNK and p-ERK was measured by Western blot. To elucidate inhibitory effects of GSO on melanin synthesis, I determined the tyrosinase activity and melanin production in B16F10 cells. Results : MMP-1 production in UVB-stimulated HDF cells was inhibited by GSO treatments, and also GSO inhibited protein expression levels of p-JNK and p-ERK. GSO significantly reduced tyrosinase activity and melanin synthesis in B16F10 cells. Conclusions : From these results, GSO appears to be effective on skin elasticity increase, wrinkle improvement, whitening as anti-aging activity.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.58 no.1
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• pp.1-7
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• 2018

Genus Artemisia occurs as a hardy plant and has a wide range of culinary and medicinal features. In this study, we aimed to describe the melanin inhibitory activity of one Artemisia species, i.e., Artemisia capillaris Thunb. Ethanol extracts of fermented Artemisia capillaris (Art.EtOH.FT) and non-fermented Artemisia capillaris (Art.EtOH.CT) were tested for their ability to inhibit tyrosinase activity and melanin pigmentation. Both extracts showed dose-dependent inhibition against ${\alpha}$-melanocyte stimulating hormone-stimulated melanin formation and tyrosinase activity, without cytotoxicity. At $100{\mu}g/mL$, both extracts showed greater inhibition than kojic acid, the positive control. Protein expressions of microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF), tyrosinase (TYR), tyrosinase-related protein 1 (TRP-1), and tyrosinase-related protein 2 (TRP-2) at the transcriptional level were determined by using real-time and semi-quantitative polymerase chain reaction. To complete the mechanistic study, presences of upstream elements of MITF, the phosphorylated-extracellular signal-regulated kinase (p-ERK), and phosphorylated-mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (p-MEK) were confirmed by using western blot analysis. Expressions of p-TYR, p-TRP-1 and p-TRP-2, downstream factors for p-ERK and p-MITF, were translationally inhibited by both extracts. Art.EtOH.FT induced more potent effects than Art.EtOH.CT, especially signal transduction effects. In summary, Artemisia capillaris extracts appear to act as potent hypopigmentation agents.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.159-166
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• 2013

In order to develop new skin whitening agents, we prepared the EtOAc layer (AJE) after enzyme treatment of 75% EtOH extract of the Alnus Japonica Steud. We measured their tyrosinase inhibitory activity in vitro and melanin synthesis inhibitory activity in B16-F1 melanoma cells. They did not show inhibitory activity against mushroom tyrosinase but showed melanin synthesis inhibitory activity in a dose-dependent manner. In a melanin synthesis inhibition assay, AJE suppressed melanin production up to 52% at a concentration of $40{\mu}g/mL$. To elucidate the mechanism of the inhibitory effects of AJE on melanogenesis, we measured expression of melanogenesis-related proteins by the western blot assay. As a result, AJE suppressed the expression of tyrosinase related protein 1 (TRP-1) and microphthalmia associated transcription factor (MITF). Moreover, AJE increased the expression of phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinase (p-ERK). These results conclude that ERK activation by AJE reduces melanin synthesis via MITF downregulation and is subsequent to the inhibition of TRP-1 expression. Therefore, we suggest that AJE could be used as active ingredients for skin whitening.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.19 no.10
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• pp.1438-1443
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• 2009

Renal fibrosis is a final common manifestation of every type of chronic kidney disease. Plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI)-1 is induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and is known to play an essential role in the progress of renal fibrosis. In this paper, we found that an isoprenoid antibiotic, ascofuranone (AF), suppresses expression of profibrotic factors, PAI-1 and promoter activity of PAI-1 induced by LPS in rat kidney fibroblast cells. We therefore investigated signaling pathway mediated inhibitory effects of LPS-induced PAI-1 by AF in rNRK-49F cells. PAI-1 expression is suppressed by treatment with kinase inhibitors for MEK-1/2, as it isin inhibition of PAI-1 expression by AF, and AF inhibits phosphorylation of ERK-1/2. This study suggest that AF suppresses expression of PAI-1 through the inhibition of an ERK-1/2-dependent signal transduction pathway. The data indicates the possibility that AF can be used to prevent the development and progression of renal fibrosis.

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.382-393
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• 2017

In this study, it studies about Phytosphingosine (PhS) and Phytosphingosine-1-phosphate(PhS1P), and it tries to confirm the effect through anti-inflammatory, anti-melanin, MMP-1 revelation inhibition, and Western blot analysis experiment after grasping toxicity about 3 cells by using B16F10 melanin cell, RAW264.7 macrophage, and HDF fibroblast in order to find out whether it is possible to use as cosmetic material or not by studying biological activity in terns of skin care. As a result of this experiment, it confirmed that toxicity about B16F10, RAW264.7, HDF cell is low, and PhS1P appeared stronger inhibition activity than PhS in anti-inflammatory NO inhibitory activity experiment. MMP-1 revelation was greater in PhS1P, and it confirmed that the mechanism is due to reduction in ERK activity. On the other hands, melanin generation inhibitory activity is better than arbutin, and it confirmed that the mechanism is due to inhibition of revelation of MTF and Tyrosinase. In a nutshell, PhS and PhS1P that are bioactive substance may confirm the possibility to be used as functional cosmetic for wrinkle and skin improvement of whitening cosmetic.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.87-92
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• 2007

To develop the skin whitening agent, we investigated the effects of Acanthopeltis japonica, a rhodophyta on the coast of Jeju island, on melanogenesis. Dried A. japonica was refluxed with 70 % aqueous ethanol and the extract was evaporated to dryness. To validate the activity as a depigmenting agent, various in vitro tests, polyphenol contents, and free radical scavenging activity were performed. In addition, cellular tyrosinase activity and protein expression of p-ERT, tyrosinase, TRP-1, and TRP-2 were measured in B16/F10 murine melanoma cells. A. japonica had low polyphenol contents and low free radicals scavenging activities against 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical. A. japonica suppressed cellular tyrosinase activity up to 86.9 % at $100{\mu}g/mL$ with inhibition or tyrosinase and TRP-1 expression in ${\alpha}$-melanocyte stimulating hormone (${\alpha}$-MSH)-treated B16/F10 melanoma cells. Our results suggest that inhibitory effects of A. japonica on melanogenesis are due to inhibiting the pathways involving ${\alpha}$-MSH-induced ERK activation. Therefore, A. japonica nay be useful as a skin whitening agent associated with the suppressive effect of melanotrophin-induced signaling pathway to inhibit melanin synthesis.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.30 no.8
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• pp.1184-1194
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• 2020

Melanin is a major factor that darkens skin color as one of the defense systems to prevent the harmful effects of UV light. However, darkened skin from the localized or systemic accumulation of melanin is viewed in many cultures as an esthetic problem. Consequentially, searching for anti-melanogenic agents from natural sources is very popular worldwide. Previous screening of fermented rice products, obtained from various rice cultivars fermented with different sources of loog-pang (Thai traditional fermentation starter), revealed that the highest ability to reduce the melanin content in B16F10 melanoma cells was from unpolished black rice fermented with a defined starter mixture of microbes isolated from loog-pang E11. The aim of this study was to investigate the mechanism of the fermented unpolished black rice (FUBR) on the inhibition of melanogenesis in B16F10 melanoma cells. The strongest reduction of cellular melanin content was found in the FUBR sap (FUBRS). The melanin reduction activity was consistent with the significant decrease in the intracellular tyrosinase activity. The FUBRS showed no cytotoxic effect to B16F10 melanoma or Hs68 human fibroblast cell lines. It also significantly reduced the transcript and protein expression levels of tyrosinase, tyrosinase-related protein 1 (TYRP-1), TYRP-2, and microphthalmia-associated transcription factor. Furthermore, it induced a significantly increased level of phosphorylated ERK, p38 and Akt signaling pathways, which likely contributed to the negative regulation of melanogenesis. From these results, a model for the mechanism of FUBRS on melanogenesis inhibition was proposed. Moreover, these results strongly suggested that FUBRS possesses anti-melanogenesis activity with high potential for cosmeceutical application as a skin depigmenting agent.