A mixture of seaweed extracts and glycosaminoglycans from sea squirts inhibits α-MSH-induced melanogenesis in B16F10 melanoma cells

Abstract

Background: In the present study, the skin-whitening effects of a marine-sourced mixture that includes a fucoidan-rich extract of Undaria pinnatifida (UPEF), a phlorotannin-rich extract of Ecklonia cava (ECE), and glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) from sea squirt skin were investigated. Methods: The whitening effects of the mixture and its components were evaluated by measuring the inhibition of mushroom tyrosinase and melanin synthesis in alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH)-stimulated B16F10 melanoma cells. Results: Each component alone markedly inhibited mushroom tyrosinase in a dose-dependent manner, and in α-MSH-stimulated B16F10 cells, they inhibited melanin synthesis and were cytotoxic. However, the whitening effects of UPEF, ECE, and GAGs in combination were greater than those of each component alone. A mixture in the ratio of 4:5:1 (UEG-451) showed the strongest activity without cytotoxicity. Further study suggested that UEG-451 inhibits α-MSH-stimulated melanogenesis in B16F10 cells by downregulating tyrosinase and tyrosinase-related proteins, such as TRP-1 and TRP-2, via the inhibition of MITF expression. Conclusions: These results suggest that mixing the different components at optimum ratios might be an effective way to improve their bioactivities and reduce toxicity and that UEG-451 possesses strong whitening effects that could be used in the cosmetic industry.