When skin is exposed to UV radiation, melanocytes produce
melanin. Excessive
melanin production leads to skin pigmentation, which causes various cosmetic and health problems. Therefore, the development of safe, natural
therapeutics that inhibit the production of
melanin is necessary. Elaeagnus umbellata (EU) has long been widely used as a folk medicinal plant because of pharmacological properties that include anti-
ulcer,
antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties. In this study, we investigated the
antioxidant activity and melanogenesis inhibitory effects of EU fractions in B16-F10
melanoma cells. EU fractions showed a dose-dependent increase in
antioxidant activity in radical scavenging activity. In addition, we evaluated the effect of EU fractions on
tyrosinase activity and melanogenesis in α-
melanocyte-stimulating hormone-induced B16-F10
melanoma cells. EU was noncytotoxic at 12.5-50 μg/mL. EU fractions effectively inhibited
tyrosinase activity and melanogenesis, suppressed the phosphorylation of CREB and ERK involved in the melanogenesis pathway, and down-regulated expression of melanogenesis-related
proteins. Interestingly, the anti-melanogenesis effect was most effective at a concentration of 50 μg/mL EU, and the effects of the fractions were superior to those of the extract. Therefore, our study suggests that EU has potential as a safe treatment for excessive pigmentation or as a natural ingredient in
cosmetics.