Exposure to ultraviolet B(UVB) radiation causes skin inflammation such as pigmentation and the induction of cyclooxygenase-2(COX-2) gene expression. In this study, we investigated the effect of natural extracts from Tea, EGb 761 and Korean red ginseng(KRG), on the pigmentation and expression of COX-1 and COX-2 mRNA in UVB-irradiated C57BL/6 mice. Before UVB irradiation, the skin color was significantly showed the lightening effect by topical application of natural compounds (p<.05). In the case of UVB irradiated mice, we observed a decrease in pigmentation by compounds (p<.05). In irradiated skin, COX-1 mRNA expression is not changed following UVB irradiation, but COX-2 gene increases. Also, natural compounds lowered mRNA levels of COX-2. Therefore, these results suggest that COX-2 mRNA increases by UVB irradiation. Also, Tea, EGb 761 and KRG as a topical application may inhibit skin pigmentation and modulate COX-2 mRNA level.
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