薬理と治療

Objects We reported that the extract from Angelica furcijuga(AF)lobe and stem(AF extract)treatments stimulated melanogenesis in mouse B16 melanoma cell and also in mouse hair by oral treatment. In this study, we investigated the effects of the AF extract on Tyrosinase activity in B16 melanoma cell, pigmentation of mouse’s hair, serum α-melanocyte stimulating hormone(α- MSH)level and the master gene of pigment cell, microphthalmia transcription factor(Mitf), expression in mouse back skin in C57BL/6 mice. Methods The concentration levels were adjusted by adding AF extract and the B16 cells were cultured. The cells were collected and measured tyrosinase activity and MIFT mRNA expression. Mice were administered AF extract every day for 3 weeks. Mitf expression was determined by immunohistochemistry and serum α-MSH levels were measured by EIA method. Results The Tyrosinase activity showed a concentration-dependent change by AF extract. Mitf mRNA expression were observed significantly in the extract AF addition B16 cells. Mitf expression were observed in the extract AF addition mouse skin and accorded with the pigmentation of mouse’s hair. Serum α-MSH level did not change by the AF extract. Conclusion It was found that AF extract promote the expression of Mitf and activate tyrosinase. In addition, the expression of Mitf was also found that the α-MSH is not involved. These results suggest that AF-extract-stimulated melanogenesis was not influenced by serum α-MSH level. Mitf expression may through the induction of AF-extractstimulated melanogenesis.