Inhibitory effects of Taraxacum mongolicum with phreatic water on melanin synthesis

Abstract Background Recently, people have begun showing heightened interest in skin whitening. Melanin is an important factor that determines skin color. The purpose of this study is to investigate the inhibitory effect of Taraxacum mongolicum (TAM) with phreatic water (PW) from Dogo Hot Springs on melanin synthesis. Methods We assessed the inhibitory effects of TAM on melanin synthesis in B16F10 mouse melanoma cells. The mRNA levels of tyrosinase related protein (TRP)-1, TRP-2, tyrosinase, MITF, ERK, and PKA protein were analyzed with reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and Western blot analysis. We also assessed the inhibitory effects of TAM with PW on melanin synthesis in HRM-2 melanin-possessing hairless mice. After UVB irradiation, differences in melanin were analyzed with an image analysis software between the left dorsal skin (untreated part) and the right dorsal skin (treated part). The mRNA levels of TRP-1, TRP-2, and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 were analyzed with real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. The dorsal skins were analyzed with histological test by hematoxylin and eosin staining. Results TAM inhibited the TRP-1, TRP-2, tyrosinase, MITF mRNA gene expression, and PKA protein expression on the concentration-dependent B16F10 cell. Moreover, TAM increased the ERK mRNA gene expression in the B16F10 cell. After UVB irradiation, TAM with PW increased the differences in melanin between the left dorsal skin (untreated part) and the right dorsal skin (treated part) in HRM-2 mice. TAM with PW inhibited the TRP-1, TRP-2, and MMP-9 mRNA gene expression in HRM-2 mice. TAM with PW decreased the epidermal thickness, around the cell deformation, keratinization, and infiltration in HRM-2 mice. Conclusion These results indicate that TAM with PW has the inhibitory effect of decreasing the melanin synthesis.