Rindala El Khoury1, Rime Michael-Jubeli2, Joudi Bakar2, Hani Dakroub2, Toufic Rizk3, Arlette Baillet-Guffroy2, Roger Lteif3, Ali Tfayli2. 1. Unité de Technologie et Valorisation Alimentaire, Centre d'Analyses et de Recherche, Université Saint-Joseph, Campus des Sciences et Technologies, Mar Roukos, Mkallès, P.O Box 11- 514, Riad El Solh, 1107 2050 Beirut, Lebanon, Interdisciplinary Unit: Lipids, Analytical and Biological Systems Lip(Sys)2, Faculty of Pharmacy, Univ Paris-Sud, Univ Paris-Saclay, F-92290 Châtenay-Malabry, France, Obegi Chemicals, Esseily building, P.O. Box 11-2652, Riad el Solh, Beirut, Lebanon. 2. Interdisciplinary Unit: Lipids, Analytical and Biological Systems Lip(Sys)2, Faculty of Pharmacy, Univ Paris-Sud, Univ Paris-Saclay, F-92290 Châtenay-Malabry, France. 3. Unité de Technologie et Valorisation Alimentaire, Centre d'Analyses et de Recherche, Université Saint-Joseph, Campus des Sciences et Technologies, Mar Roukos, Mkallès, P.O Box 11- 514, Riad El Solh, 1107 2050 Beirut, Lebanon.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Hyperpigmentation disorders are considered signs of skin aging and are aesthetically unpleasant. Most active ingredients used against hyperpigmentation disorders predominantly target tyrosinase activity. OBJECTIVES: To study the effect of two Origanum essential oils on the melanogenic activity of B16-F1 murine melanocytes. The main component of these oils, carvacrol, was also investigated and a model for anti-melanogenic activity is proposed. MATERIALS AND METHODS: B16-F1 melanocytes were exposed to different concentrations of essential oils and carvacrol. The level of tyrosinase and melanin was determined using spectrophotometric measurements. RESULTS: Essential oils of Origanum syriacum and Origanum ehrenbergii led to a significant 14% and 17% reduction in melanin level at 40 μg mL-1, respectively. However, neither demonstrated a significant effect on the level of intracellular tyrosinase. The same effects were found for carvacrol which led to a 30% reduction in melanin at 45 μg mL-1. CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that the oils studied are anti-melanogenic. We propose a mechanism, similar to that for hydroquinone, whereby carvacrol functions as a competitive inhibitor of tyrosinase, thus inhibiting oxidation of tyrosine and causing a deregulation of melanogenesis.
BACKGROUND:Hyperpigmentation disorders are considered signs of skin aging and are aesthetically unpleasant. Most active ingredients used against hyperpigmentation disorders predominantly target tyrosinase activity. OBJECTIVES: To study the effect of two Origanumessential oils on the melanogenic activity of B16-F1 murine melanocytes. The main component of these oils, carvacrol, was also investigated and a model for anti-melanogenic activity is proposed. MATERIALS AND METHODS: B16-F1 melanocytes were exposed to different concentrations of essential oils and carvacrol. The level of tyrosinase and melanin was determined using spectrophotometric measurements. RESULTS:Essential oils of Origanum syriacum and Origanum ehrenbergii led to a significant 14% and 17% reduction in melanin level at 40 μg mL-1, respectively. However, neither demonstrated a significant effect on the level of intracellular tyrosinase. The same effects were found for carvacrol which led to a 30% reduction in melanin at 45 μg mL-1. CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that the oils studied are anti-melanogenic. We propose a mechanism, similar to that for hydroquinone, whereby carvacrol functions as a competitive inhibitor of tyrosinase, thus inhibiting oxidation of tyrosine and causing a deregulation of melanogenesis.