Kazinol U inhibits melanogenesis through the inhibition of tyrosinase-related proteins via AMP kinase activation

Background and purpose: Kazinol U is a prenylated flavan isolated from an extract of Broussonetia kazinoki Sieb (Moraceae). Kazinol U has shown cytoprotective effects against cytokine-induced apoptotic cell death and induces AMP kinase (AMPK) activation through LKB1 activation. However, kazinol U has not been tested as a regulator of melanogenesis, although bark extract of B. kazinoki has been used as a cosmetic ingredient for skin conditioning.

Experimental approach: We cultured mouse, human melanoma cells and normal human melanocytes to demonstrate anti-melanogenic effects of kazinol U. A Tyrosinase activity assay, Western blot, RT-qPCR and a luciferase reporter gene assay were performed to determine the anti-melanogenic mechanisms of kazinol U. We confirmed its effect on melanogenesis in vivo using zebrafish.

Key results: Kazinol U inhibited the expression and activity of Tyrosinase, the rate-limiting Enzyme in melanogenesis, and reduced Tyrosinase expression and activity in response to cAMP-inducing agents. Kazinol U reduced the expression of other melanogenic enzymes, such as tyrosinase-related protein (Tyrp) 1 and Tyrp2, and down-regulated microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF), the master regulator of the Tyrosinase gene family. Moreover, kazinol U induced phosphorylation of AMPK and MAPK proteins, which are MITF inhibitors. It also exhibited anti-melanogenic effects in zebrafish, a recently developed in vivo model.

Conclusions and implications: Our findings suggest that kazinol U reduces melanogenesis via its inhibitory effect on MITF and its downstream target genes, Tyrosinase, Tyrp1 and Tyrp2. This work may provide a basis for the application of kazinol U for the treatment of hyperpigmentation skin disorders.