Korean J Dermatol.  2019 Sep;57(8):448-456.

Anti-melanogenesis and Anti-inflammatory Effects of Cinnamomi Cortex Extract In Vitro

• Park JH
• Park SJ
• Park KY
• Kim BJ

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Many researchers have sought to identify safe, natural herbal extracts that exert an anti-melanogenesis effect. Cinnamomi cortex has been widely used as a herbal medicine in Asia and Europe.
OBJECTIVE
To confirm the inhibitory effects of Cinnamomi cortex extract against melanogenesis and inflammation and to elucidate the underlying mechanism of these actions.
METHODS
Effects of Cinnamomi cortex extract on melanin synthesis and tyrosinase activity in B16F10 melanoma cells were evaluated using an ELISA reader. Tyrosinase and MITF protein expression was determined using western blotting. Nitric oxide production in RAW 264.7 cells was measured using Griess reaction. PGEâ‚‚ was assayed with an ELISA kit.
RESULTS
Cinnamomi cortex extracts inhibited melanin synthesis, tyrosinase activity, and MITF and tyrosinase expression through regulation of the ERK and CREB genes in α-MSH-induced B16 melanoma cells. In addition, Cinnamomi cortex extracts inhibited the expression of NO, PGE₂, and pro-inflammatory cytokines in lipopolysaccharide-induced RAW 264.7 cells.
CONCLUSION
We suggest that Cinnamomi cortex may be a potentially useful agent for treating inflammatory skin diseases such as hyperpigmentation based on its inhibitory effects against melanin synthesis and inflammation response in vitro.

Keyword

Anti-inflammatory agents; Cinnamomi cortex; Melanin

MeSH Terms

Anti-Inflammatory Agents
Asia
Blotting, Western
Cytokines
Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
Europe
Herbal Medicine
Hyperpigmentation
In Vitro Techniques*
Inflammation
Melanins
Melanoma
Melanoma, Experimental
Microphthalmia-Associated Transcription Factor
Monophenol Monooxygenase
Nitric Oxide
RAW 264.7 Cells
Skin Diseases
Anti-Inflammatory Agents
Cytokines
Melanins
Microphthalmia-Associated Transcription Factor
Monophenol Monooxygenase
Nitric Oxide