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Umbelliferone stimulated melanogenesis and increased glutathione level in B16F10 cells

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Abstract

Umbelliferone (7-hydroxycoumarin) treatment caused an increase in melanin content in B16F10 melanoma cells in a dose-dependent manner, without causing toxicity. The increase in melanin content was correlated with increases in the activity of tyrosinase, the rate-limiting enzyme in melanin synthesis, and the expressions of melanogenic proteins, including tyrosinase, tyrosinase-related protein 1, and microphthalmia-associated transcription factor, the master transcriptional regulator for melanogenesis. Unlike α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone, umbelliferone did not cause melanogenesis-associated oxidation and depletion of glutathione. Conversely, umbelliferone treatment resulted in a significant and dose-dependent increase in glutathione. Umbelliferone caused activation of JNK, p38 MAPK, and GSK3β in a dose- dependent manner, suggesting possible involvement of those protein kinases in umbelliferone-induced stimulations of melanogenesis and antioxidant system. Our results suggest that umbelliferone stimulates both melanogenesis and antioxidant defense, providing more effective protection against UV-induced photodamage. They also imply possible applications of umbelliferone in self-tanning and treatment of skin disorders related with melanin deficiency.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Chemistry, Incheon National University, Incheon, 22012, Republic of Korea

    Yunjung Lee, Dongsoo Kim & Eun-Mi Choi

  2. Department of Cosmetic Science & Management, Graduate School, Incheon National University, Incheon, 22012, Republic of Korea

    Bonhee Ku & Eun-Mi Choi

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  1. Yunjung Lee
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Correspondence to Eun-Mi Choi.

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Lee, Y., Ku, B., Kim, D. et al. Umbelliferone stimulated melanogenesis and increased glutathione level in B16F10 cells. Toxicol. Environ. Health Sci. 9, 152–160 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13530-017-0316-2

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