무환자 나무 열매 추출물이 항산화와 멜라닌 생성에 미치는 영향

Here, we investigated the effects of Sapindus mukorossi fruit extracts (SME) on skin care by measuring antioxidant and whitening activity. To investigate the antioxidant effects of SME, we assessed scavenging activities on DPPH and ABTS radicals, and SOD-like activities. DPPH, ABTS and SOD-like radical scavenging activities significantly increased in a SME dose-dependent manner. Also, SME significantly inhibited both tyrosinase activity and melanin content in a dose-dependent manner. Additionally, it was found that treatment with SME led to a decreased in α-MSH (melanocyte-stimulating hormone)-induced tyrosinase activity and MITF (microphthalmia associated transcription factor) protein expression. Our results revealed that SME inhibited α-MSH-stimulated melanin synthesis by suppressing MITF expression. Therefore, it is expected to be used effectively in the development of whitening cosmetics.