Inhibitory effect of carvacrol on melanin synthesis via suppression of tyrosinase expression. (June 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Jeon, Nam-Joo; Kim, Yon-Suk; Kim, Eun-Kyung; Dong, Xin; Lee, Jae-Woong; Park, Jin-Su; Shin, Woen-Bin; Moon, Sang-Ho; Jeon, Byong-Tae; Park, Pyo-Jam
• Is Part Of: Journal of functional foods. Volume 45(2018)
• Page Start: 199
• Page End: 205
• Publication Date: 2018-06
• Subjects: Carvacrol -- Melanogenesis -- B16F10 cells -- IBMX; Functional foods -- Analysis -- Periodicals; Food -- Biotechnology -- Periodicals; Nutrition -- Periodicals; 613.2
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jff.2018.03.043
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1756-4646

Abstract

Graphical abstract: Highlights: Carvacrol inhibited melanin synthesis in a dose-dependent manner. Carvacrol down-regulated both the protein and mRNA levels of tyrosinase. Carvacrol decreased microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF). Carvacrol decreased MITF protein via the phosphorylated ERK signaling. Abstract: Carvacrol (2-methyl-5-(1-methylethyl)-phenol) compound derived from oils of Thymus vulgaris is a natural member of monoterpene phenol. It has been shown that carvacrol exhibit anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant activities. However, no studies have reported its anti-melanogenesis effect. Therefore, the objective of this study was to investigate the anti-melanogenic potential of carvacrol. Results of this study confirmed that carvacrol could regulate protein expression levels of microphthalmia-associated transcription factor [MITF, a protein closely related to transcription of cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB)] and various enzymes involved in melanin synthesis. Moreover, this study provided evidence that carvacrol could regulate the degradation of MITF protein by extracellularly responsive kinases (ERK) phosphorylation. Carvacrol strongly inhibited the synthesis of CREB protein, tyrosinase-related protein 1 (TRP-1), and tyrosinase known to be important enzymes involved in melanogenesis. These results indicate that carvacrol can inhibit melanin synthase by decreasing enzyme expression levels important for melanin synthesis.