A Study on the Mechanisms Regulating the Antioxidant and Anti-Melanogenetic Activities of Plant Extracts Containing Polyphenols Yang Seung Hwa Advisor : Prof. Hyun-Jae Shin, Ph.D. Department of Chemical Engineering, Graduate School of Chosun Universit...
A Study on the Mechanisms Regulating the Antioxidant and Anti-Melanogenetic Activities of Plant Extracts Containing Polyphenols Yang Seung Hwa Advisor : Prof. Hyun-Jae Shin, Ph.D. Department of Chemical Engineering, Graduate School of Chosun University Skin aging is a multifactorial biological process driven by cumulative oxidative stress, chronic inflammation, and dysregulated melanogenesis. Among these factors, excessive production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) accelerates cellular damage while simultaneously activating melanogenic signaling pathways, ultimately leading to hyperpigmentation and functional deterioration of the skin. Although numerous naturally derived polyphenols have been reported to exhibit antioxidant and skin-whitening activities, comprehensive mechanistic investigations integrating phytochemical characterization, biochemical evaluation, and intracellular signaling analysis remain limited. Therefore, this study systematically investigated the antioxidant and anti-melanogenetic properties of representative plant-derived polyphenols and their derivatives to clarify the molecular mechanisms responsible for their biological activities. To achieve this objective, structurally diverse bioactive materials were selected, including limonoids isolated from Citrus junos, polyphenol-rich fractions obtained from Castanopsis cuspidata var. sieboldii, a chemically synthesized quercetin derivative (3,7-dioleylquercetin; OQ), and lignin fractions produced by steam explosion. Their chemical compositions and structural characteristics were comprehensively characterized using chromatographic and spectroscopic techniques, including HPLC-DAD, HPLC-MS/MS, MPLC, NMR spectroscopy, FT-IR spectroscopy, Py-GC/MS, HSQC NMR, and gel permeation chromatography. The biological activities of the isolated compounds and prepared fractions were evaluated through complementary in vitro assays. Antioxidant capacity was determined using radical scavenging assays together with measurements of total polyphenol and flavonoid contents. Anti-melanogenetic activity was assessed by mushroom tyrosinase inhibition, enzyme kinetic analysis, molecular docking simulation, intracellular ROS determination, cellular melanin quantification, and B16F10 melanoma cell-based experiments. Furthermore, Western blotting and RT-PCR analyses were performed to investigate alterations in melanogenesis-related signaling pathways at both protein and transcriptional levels. The investigated compounds consistently exhibited potent antioxidant activities and effectively suppressed melanogenesis through multiple complementary mechanisms. In addition to directly inhibiting tyrosinase activity, they significantly reduced intracellular oxidative stress and melanin accumulation without causing cytotoxicity at biologically active concentrations. Mechanistic analyses demonstrated downregulation of tyrosinase, TRP-1, TRP-2, and MITF expression accompanied by inhibition of the PKA/CREB signaling cascade. Ethyl gallate further modulated the AMPK/AKT/mTOR pathway and autophagy-associated proteins, indicating that regulation of autophagic processes contributes to melanogenesis control. Molecular docking and enzyme kinetic analyses consistently supported the biochemical observations by demonstrating favorable interactions between the investigated compounds and tyrosinase. Collectively, the findings of this study demonstrate that structurally distinct plant-derived polyphenols regulate oxidative stress and melanogenesis through coordinated modulation of enzymatic activity, intracellular redox homeostasis, and multiple signaling pathways. Beyond identifying individual bioactive compounds, this work provides an integrated mechanistic framework explaining how naturally derived polyphenols exert antioxidant and anti-melanogenetic effects at the molecular level. These findings not only expand the current understanding of polyphenol-mediated biological regulation but also provide a scientific foundation for the development of safe and effective natural functional cosmetic ingredients with applications in skin whitening, anti-aging, and oxidative stress management.