Fermented Viola mandshurica Inhibits Melanogenesis in B16 Melanoma Cells

• Published in: Bioscience, biotechnology, and biochemistry Vol. 75; no. 5; pp. 841 - 847
• Main Authors: KWAK, Yeon-Joo, KIM, Kyoung-Sook, KIM, Kyung-Mi, YU, Hai Yang, CHUNG, Eunsook, KIM, Seok-Jo, CHA, Jae-Young, LEE, Young-Choon, LEE, Jai-Heon
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Japan Society for Bioscience, Biotechnology, and Agrochemistry 2011; Oxford University Press
• Subjects: Animals; B16 melanoma cells; Cell Line, Tumor; Cell Survival - drug effects; Cyclic AMP Response Element-Binding Protein - metabolism; Down-Regulation - drug effects; Enzyme Activation - drug effects; Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases - metabolism; Fermentation; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic - drug effects; Intracellular Space - drug effects; Intracellular Space - metabolism; Melanins - biosynthesis; melanogenesis; Melanoma, Experimental - enzymology; Melanoma, Experimental - genetics; Melanoma, Experimental - metabolism; Melanoma, Experimental - pathology; Mice; microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF); Microphthalmia-Associated Transcription Factor - metabolism; Monophenol Monooxygenase - metabolism; Phosphorylation - drug effects; Plant Extracts - metabolism; Plant Extracts - pharmacology; RNA, Messenger - genetics; RNA, Messenger - metabolism; Signal Transduction - drug effects; tyrosinase; Viola; Viola - chemistry; Viola - metabolism; Viola mandshurica
• ISSN: 0916-8451; 1347-6947; 1347-6947
• DOI: 10.1271/bbb.100641

We assessed the effects of chloroform extract of fermented Viola mandshurica (CEFV) on melanogenesis B16 melanoma cells. CEFV treatment significantly decreased melanin content and tyrosinase activity in dose-dependent manners. To elucidate the mechanism of the inhibitory effects of CEFV on melanogenesis, we performed RT-PCR and Western blotting for melanogenesis-related genes such as tyrosinase, tyrosinase-related protein-1 (TRP-1), TRP-2, and microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF). CEFV strongly inhibited mRNA as well as the protein expression of tyrosinase and MITF, but had no significant effect on TRP-1 or TRP-2 expressions. It markedly decreased the phosphorylation of cAMP responsive element binding protein (CREB), and induced the duration of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) activation, leading to reduction of MITF expression and subsequently that of tyrosinase. Therefore, we suggest that CEFV induces downregulation of melanogenesis through decreased CREB phosphorylation and ERK activation.