MITF 발현 조절을 통한 개똥쑥 추출물 및 아테미시닌의 미백 개선 효과

The Skin Whitening Effect of Artemisia annua L. Extracts and Artemisinin through Modulation of MITF Expression

Artemisinin is known as a constituent of the medicinal plant, Artemisia annua L. and has been used in folk medicine to treat various ailments for centuries. In studies to investigate the whitening effect of Artemisia annua L. extracts and artemisinin as an active ingredient for whitening cosmetics, the effects of Artemisia annua L. extracts and artemisinin on melanogenesis in B16-F10 melanoma cells were identified. In a cell viability assay, Artemisia annua L. extracts and artemisinin did not show any obvious cytotoxicity, and they also significantly reduced both tyrosinase activity and the cellular melanin content in a concentration-dependent manner. Furthermore, it was found that artemisinin decreased α-MSH (melanocyte-stimulating hormone)-induced tyrosinase activity and microphthalmia associated transcription factor (MITF) protein expression. These dataindicate that Artemisia annua L. extracts and artemisinin attenuates α MSH-stimulated melanin synthesis by modulating MITF expression and that they might be a useful therapeutic agent for treating hyperpigmentation and an ingredient of whitening cosmetics.