News Release

Ligustroside derived from Ligustrum japonicum inhibits melanogenesis via blocking the MAPK and PKA/CREB signaling pathways

Peer-Reviewed Publication

Higher Education Press

Image 1

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Effect of ligustroside on mRNA and protein expression levels of tyrosinase, MITF, TRP-1, and TRP-2 in α-MSH-stimulated B16F10 cells. Cells were treated with ligustroside for 24 h and the changes in mRNA and protein expressions were quantified by RT-qPCR and Western blot, respectively. Values were given as relative changes compared to the control group. β-actin was used as a housekeeping gene. KA: kojic acid. *P<0.05, **P<0.001 vs. control cells, #P<0.05 vs. the blank group.

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Credit: Xian-Rong Zhou, Fatih Karadeniz, Jung Hwan Oh, Youngwan Seo, Chang-Suk Kong

Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and Wnt signaling pathways are critical for melanocyte development and melanogenesis and could be novel therapeutic targets for modulating melanin synthesis. Ligustroside is a derivative of secoiridoid compounds and has antiviral, mitochondrial dysfunction improving, and antioxidant effects. The present study aimed to evaluate the anti-melanogenesis effect of ligustroside on α-MSH-induced B16F10 murine melanoma cells.

The cytotoxicity of ligustroside was tested via MTT assay. Furthermore, the effects of ligustroside on the expression of critical melanogenic markers such as tyrosinase, tyrosinase related proteins (TRPs), and microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF) were analyzed at both mRNA and protein levels via RT-qPCR and Western blot, respectively, in α-melanocyte stimulating hormone-induced B16F10 cells. In addition, phosphorylation of p38, ERK and JNK proteins was investigated. Immunofluorescence analysis of MITF was also conducted.

Ligustroside significantly reduced intracellular tyrosinase activity and melanin content by 37.11% and 29.12%, respectively, compared to untreated cells. Moreover, it downregulated the expression of MITF, tyrosinase, TRP-1, and TRP-2 at the mRNA and protein levels by regulating both the MAPK and protein kinase A (PKA)/cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB) signaling pathways. Ligustroside also suppressed the nuclear protein expression of MITF, β-catenin, and p-CREB, and decreased immunofluorescence intensity of nuclear MITF.

Ligustroside derived from Ligustrum japonicum shows a significant anti-melanogenesis effect via suppression of the MAPK and PKA/CREB signaling pathways.

 

The work entitled “Ligustroside derived from Ligustrum japonicum inhibits melanogenesis via blocking the MAPK and PKA/CREB signaling pathways” was published on Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Biomedicine (published on Jan. 17, 2025).

 

DOI: 10.4103/apjtb.apjtb_568_24


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