Capsaicin reverses the inhibitory effect of licochalcone A/ß-Arbutin on tyrosinase expression in b16 mouse melanoma cells.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Melanin is synthesized by melanocytes, which are located in the basal layer of the skin. After synthesis, melanin is further deposited on the surface of the skin to form black spots or chloasma. Tyrosinase is a rate-limiting enzyme that plays an important role in melanogenesis. Currently, there are many drugs that inhibit tyrosinase expression to further reduce melanogenesis. Nevertheless, some of these could reverse the pharmacological effect of other drugs, when used simultaneously. MATERIALS AND METHODS: B16 mouse melanoma cells were treated with the tyrosinase inhibitors licochalcone A and ß-arbutin, alone or in combination with capsaicin, an alkaloid found in peppers. Cytotoxicity, melanin content, and tyrosinase activity and expression were determined. RESULTS: Licochalcone A/ß-arbutin inhibited tyrosinase expression and further hindered melanin synthesis when applied individually to B16 mouse melanoma cells. However, licochalcone A/ß-arbutin combined with 50 µmol/L capsaicin enhanced the expression of tyrosinase in these cells and further increased melanin content. CONCLUSION: Our data implied that capsaicin could reverse the inhibitory effect of licochalcone A/ß-arbutin on tyrosinase expression in B16 mouse melanoma cells. SUMMARY: B16 mouse melanoma cells were treated with the tyrosinase inhibitors licochalcone A and ß-arbutin, alone or in combination with capsaicin, an alkaloid found in peppers. Cytotoxicity, melanin content, and tyrosinase activity and expression were determined. Licochalcone A/ß-arbutin inhibited tyrosinase expression and further hindered melanin synthesis when applied individually to B16 mouse melanoma cells. However, licochalcone A/ß-arbutin combined with 50 µmol/L capsaicin enhanced the expression of tyrosinase in these cells and further increased melanin content. Our research implied that capsaicin could reverse the inhibitory effect of licochalcone A/ß-arbutin on tyrosinase expression in B16 mouse melanoma cells. Abbreviations used B16 B16 mouse melanoma cells; L-DOPA 3, 4-L-dihydroxyphenylalanine; TYR Tyrosinase; USP United States Pharmacopeia; FBS Fetal bovine serum; EDTA Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid; DMSO Dimethyl sulfoxide; RPMI Roswell Park Memorial Institute; MTT3 4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2-H-tetrazolium bromide, NaOH Sodium hydroxide; PBS Phosphate-buffered saline; RIPA Radio-immunoprecipitation assay; PMSF Phenylmethanesulfonyl fluoride or phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride; SDS Sodium dodecyl sulfate, sodium salt; PVDF Polyvinylidene fluoride; ECL Enhanced chemiluminescence.