반하 추출물이 B-16 마우스 흑색종 세포의 멜라닌 생성과 타이로시네이즈 mRNA양에 미치는 영향 = Effects of Banha Extract on the Melanin Biosynthesis and Tyrosinase mRNA Level in B16 Mouse Melanoma Cells

다국어 초록 (Multilingual Abstract)

Melanin pigmentation in human skin is a major defense mechanism against ultraviolet light of the sun. Tyrosinase(EC 1.14.18.1) plays a key role in the biosynthesis of melanin. This is why much researches have been focused on its regulation in controlling the epidermal melanization. We have found that the water-extract of Banha(Pinelliae temate B.)，an oriental medicinal plant, has no tyrosinase inhibitory activity, but does inhibit the melanin biosynthesis in B16 mouse melanoma cells. We also found that Banha extract lowers the tyrosinase activity in cultured cells. To elucidate the action mechanism of Banha extract we have investigated its effect on the tyrosinase mRNA level using reverse transcription- polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR) technique. It was revealed that Banha extract reduced the tyrosinase mRNA level in a dose dependent manner; when B16 mouse melanoma cells were cultured with 2mg/ml and 5mg/ml of Banha extract, there were 20% and 44% decrease in tyrosinase mRNA level, respectively. These data suggest that the Banha extract exerts its melanogenic inhibitoiy effect through the transcriptional regulation of tyrosinase mRNA.