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. 2009 Nov;21(4):369-75.
doi: 10.5021/ad.2009.21.4.369. Epub 2009 Nov 30.

The Inhibitory Effect of Phytoclear-EL1 on Melanogenesis

Kee Suck Suh  1 , Jae Woo Baek, Tae Kwon Kim, Jin Woo Lee, Hyo Jin Roh, Young Seung Jeon, Sang Tae Kim
Affiliations

The Inhibitory Effect of Phytoclear-EL1 on Melanogenesis

Kee Suck Suh et al. Ann Dermatol. 2009 Nov.

Abstract

Background: Phytoclear-EL1, an extract from Euphorbia lathyris seeds, has a whitening effect due to inhibition of tyrosinase activity.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the inhibitory effect of phytoclear-EL1 on melanogenesis.

Methods: Cultured B-16 melanoma cells and 30 human volunteers were used for in vitro and in vivo studies, respectively. Phytoclear-EL1 was added to the cultured B-16 melanoma cells, and applied to UVB-induced hyperpigmented lesions of human volunteers twice daily for 7 weeks. Changes in the number of B-16 melanoma cells, as well as changes in morphology, melanin content, and tyrosinase activity, were measured and then compared with the normal control and the 10(-3)M arbutin groups. Also, the effect of phytoclear-EL1 on UVB-induced hyperpigmented lesions was examined through subjective and objective measurements.

Results: In the in vitro study (p<0.05), the number, melanin content, and tyrosinase activity of cultured B-16 melanoma cells were decreased in the 5microg/ml phytoclear-EL1 group compared to the control group. On objective assessment with a chromameter, the 0.2% phytoclear-EL1 group had a larger difference in the mean L values before and 7 weeks after applying phytoclear-EL1 as compared to the other groups. On subjective assessment by both the researchers and subjects 7 weeks after applying experimental materials, the 0.2% phytoclear-EL1 group and positive control (3% arbutin) had higher scores than the placebo groups. These results demonstrated that phytoclear-EL1 in vivo and in vitro had an inhibitory effect on melanogenesis.

Conclusion: Phytoclear-EL1 may be a candidate extract in the control of hyperpigmentary disorders.

Keywords: Euphorbia lathyris; Melanogenesis; Phytoclear-EL1.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
UV-induced hyperpigmented lesions before (A) and 7 weeks after (B) topical application with a positive control (3% arbutin [group A]), 0.2% phytoclear-EL1 (group B), and placebo (groups C and D) twice daily in subject No. 17.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Changes in the number of cultured B-16 melanoma cells (×105/well) 3 and 5 days after administration of phytoclear-EL1. ♦: control, ▴: phytoclear-EL1 (5µg/ml), ▪: positive control (10-3 M arbutin). *p<0.05 (compared to control group).
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Melanin content (pg/cell) in cultured B-16 melanoma cells 3 and 5 days after administration of phytoclear-EL1. ♦: control, ▴: phytoclear-EL1 (5µg/ml), ▪: positive control (10-3 M arbutin). *p<0.05 (compared to control group).
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Tyrosinase activity (3H2O×10-2 pmol/cell) in cultured B-16 melanoma cells 2 days after administration of phytoclear-EL1. *p<0.05 (compared to control group).
Fig. 5
Fig. 5
Changes in L values before and at 3 and 7 weeks after topical application of phytoclear-EL1 on the UV induced hyperpigmented lesions of subjects. ♦: positive control (3% arbutin [group A]), ▴: phytoclear-EL1 (group B), ▪: placebo (group C), •: placebo (group D).
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