Unveiling the Potential of Ultrasonic-Assisted Ethanol Extract from Sargassum horneri in Inhibiting Tyrosinase Activity and Melanin Production in B16F10 Murine Melanocytes.

Backgrounds: Melanogenesis, regulated by genetic, hormonal, and environmental factors, occurs in melanocytes in the basal layer of the epidermis. Dysregulation of this process can lead to various skin disorders, such as hyperpigmentation and hypopigmentation. Therefore, the present study investigated the effect of ultrasonic-assisted ethanol extract (SHUE) from Sargassum horneri ( S. horneri ), brown seaweed against melanogenesis in α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (MSH)-stimulated B16F10 murine melanocytes.
Methods: Firstly, yield and proximate compositional analysis of the samples were conducted. The effect of SHUE on cell viability has been evaluated by using 3-(4,5-Dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. After that, the melanin content and cellular tyrosinase activity in α-MSH-stimulated B16F10 murine melanocytes were examined. Western blot analysis was carried out to investigate the protein expression levels of microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF), tyrosinase, tyrosinase-related protein-1 (TRP1), and tyrosinase-related protein-2 (TRP2). In addition, the effect of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) on the melanogenesis process was assessed via Western blotting.
Results: As per the analysis, SHUE contained the highest average yield on a dry basis at 28.70 ± 3.21%. The findings showed that SHUE reduced the melanin content and cellular tyrosinase activity in α-MSH-stimulated B16F10 murine melanocytes. Additionally, the expression levels of MITF, TRP1, and TRP2 protein were significantly downregulated by SHUE treatment in α-MSH-stimulated B16F10 murine melanocytes. Moreover, SHUE upregulated the phosphorylation of ERK and AKT in α-MSH-stimulated B16F10 murine melanocytes. In addition, experiments conducted using the ERK inhibitor (PD98059) revealed that the activity of SHUE depends on the ERK signaling cascade.
Conclusion: These results suggest that SHUE has an anti-melanogenic effect and can be used as a material in the formulation of cosmetics related to whitening and lightening.
Competing Interests: Given Dr. Seon-Heui Cha’s role as an editorial board member, Dr. Seon-Heui Cha was not involved in the peer review of this article and has no access to information regarding its peer review. Full responsibility for the editorial process for this article was delegated to Marcello Iriti. Mr. Chang-Ik Ko and Yong-Seok Ahn work researchers at Choung Ryong Fisheries Co., Ltd. as researchers and were involved ultrasonic extract preparation and provided it for the study. All responsibility for this article was delegated to Dr. Seon-Heui Cha and Dr. Ginnae Ahn. Other authors declare no conflict of interest.
(© 2024 The Author(s). Published by IMR Press.)