earticle

영어

This study examined the inhibitory effects of Vicia cracca extract on melanogenesis to evaluate the potential of this extract as a skin-whitening agent. The extract was prepared in 70% ethanol via ultrasonic-assisted extraction. Cytotoxicity was assessed using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assays, while tyrosinase activity and melanin content were measured through levodopa (L-DOPA) oxidation and α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone-induced stimulation in B16F10 cells. The expression of the tyrosinase gene was analyzed by quantitative polymerase chain reaction, and intracellular levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) were quantified by measuring dichloro-dihydro-fluorescein diacetate fluorescence. Overall, the extract showed no cytotoxicity at concentrations below 500 μg/mL and exhibited dose-dependent inhibition of melanin production and L-DOPA oxidation. In addition, it downregulated tyrosinase mRNA expression and strongly suppressed ROS generation. Since intracellular ROS act as critical upstream drivers of melanogenesis, their reduction can attenuate microphthalmia-associated transcription factor/tyrosinase signaling and lead to decreased melanin synthesis. These findings suggested that V. cracca extract exerts whitening effects by modulating tyrosinase and ROS, supporting its potential as a natural cosmetic ingredient.

한국어

본 연구는 Vicia cracca 추출물의 멜라닌 생합성 억제 효과를 평가하여 피부 미백 기능성 소재로서의 가능성을 검토하였다. 70% 에탄올로 초음파 추출한 시료를 사용하였으며, MTT assay로 세포 독성을 확인하였다. Tyrosinase 활성을 L-DOPA 산화 반응으로 측정하고, α-MSH로 유도된 멜라닌 생성량을 분석하였다. Tyrosinase 유전자 발현은 qPCR로, ROS 생성량은 DCFH-DA 형광법으로 정량하였다. 그 결과, Vicia cracca 추출물은 500 μg/mL 이하의 농도 에서 세포 독성을 유발하지 않았으며, 농도 의존적으로 멜라닌 생성 및 L-DOPA 산화를 억제하였다. 또한 tyrosinase mRNA 발현 감소와 ROS 생성 억제를 유도하였다. 본 결과는 동 추출물이 세포 내 ROS 및 tyrosinase 발현 조절을 통해 미백 효과를 나타냄을 시사하며, 천연 유래 미백 화장품 원료로서의 활용 가능성을 나타낸다.