Stimulation of melanogenesis by Carthamus tinctorius floret extract in B16F10 murine melanoma cells

Abstract

Introduction: Hair pigmentation is a process of hair growth and occurs through melanogenesis in follicular melanocyte. Melanogenesis, melanin producing process, is induced by a melanogen such as α-melanocyte stimulating hormone and regulated by melanogenic enzymes such as tyrosinase, tyrosinase-related protein (TRP-1) and TRP-2. Gray hair is the result from the deficiency of melanogenesis and becomes a medical problem when it is excessive, premature and distressing to patient. The effective treatment for gray hair is currently becoming hot issue of research. Method: In this study, the effect of Carthamus tinctorius floret ethanolic extract (CTE) on melanogenesis was examined in B16F10 murine melanoma cells. Melanin content was analyzed spectrophotometrically and the expression of tyrosinase, TRP-1 and TRP-2 were investigated by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Results: Results showed that CTE had a significant stimulative effect on melanogenesis in B16F10 cells due to the melanin content was greatly increased by CTE in a dose-dependent manner with no cytotoxicity at the effective concentrations. In addition, tyrosinase, TRP-1 and TRP-2 level were increased and also the viability of B16 cells was higher than 80% after 48 h treatment with CTE at doses of 6.25 to 25 µg/ml. Conclusion: These results indicate that CTE can stimulate melanogenesis at the transcriptional level without cytotoxicity. Therefore, CTE appears to be a good candidate for gray hair treatment product.