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  • Title: Kazinol U inhibits melanogenesis through the inhibition of tyrosinase-related proteins via AMP kinase activation.
    Author: Lim J, Nam S, Jeong JH, Kim MJ, Yang Y, Lee MS, Lee HG, Ryu JH, Lim JS.
    Journal: Br J Pharmacol; 2019 Mar; 176(5):737-750. PubMed ID: 30579288.
    Abstract:
    BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Kazinol U is a prenylated flavan isolated from an extract of Broussonetia kazinoki Sieb (Moraceae). Kazinol U has shown cytoprotective effects against cytokine-induced apoptotic cell death and induces AMP kinase (AMPK) activation through LKB1 activation. However, kazinol U has not been tested as a regulator of melanogenesis, although bark extract of B. kazinoki has been used as a cosmetic ingredient for skin conditioning. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH: We cultured mouse, human melanoma cells and normal human melanocytes to demonstrate anti-melanogenic effects of kazinol U. A tyrosinase activity assay, Western blot, RT-qPCR and a luciferase reporter gene assay were performed to determine the anti-melanogenic mechanisms of kazinol U. We confirmed its effect on melanogenesis in vivo using zebrafish. KEY RESULTS: Kazinol U inhibited the expression and activity of tyrosinase, the rate-limiting enzyme in melanogenesis, and reduced tyrosinase expression and activity in response to cAMP-inducing agents. Kazinol U reduced the expression of other melanogenic enzymes, such as tyrosinase-related protein (Tyrp) 1 and Tyrp2, and down-regulated microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF), the master regulator of the tyrosinase gene family. Moreover, kazinol U induced phosphorylation of AMPK and MAPK proteins, which are MITF inhibitors. It also exhibited anti-melanogenic effects in zebrafish, a recently developed in vivo model. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: Our findings suggest that kazinol U reduces melanogenesis via its inhibitory effect on MITF and its downstream target genes, tyrosinase, Tyrp1 and Tyrp2. This work may provide a basis for the application of kazinol U for the treatment of hyperpigmentation skin disorders.
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