(2-Methylbutyryl)shikonin
Naturally Occurring Shikonin
Derivative Ameliorates the α‑MSH-Induced Melanogenesis
via ERK1/2 and p38 MAP Kinase-Mediated Down-Regulation of the MITF
Transcription Factor
posted on 2024-01-25, 18:34authored byAalim
Maqsood Bhat, Rashid Haroon, Shahid Naikoo, Raghu Rai Sharma, Sajeeda Archoo, Sheikh A Tasduq
Cutaneous
pigmentation is an important phenotypic trait
whose regulation,
despite recent advances, has yet to be completely elucidated. Melanogenesis,
a physiological process of melanin production, is imperative for organism
survival as it provides protection against the environmental insults
that majorly involve sunlight-induced skin photodamage. However, immoderate
melanin synthesis can cause pigmentation disorders associated with
a psychosocial impact. In this study, the hypopigmentation effect
of (2-methylbutyryl)shikonin, a natural product present in the root
extract of Lithospermum erythrorhizon, and the underlying mechanisms responsible for the inhibition of
melanin synthesis in α-MSH-stimulated B16F10 cells and C57BL/6J
mice was studied. Non-cytotoxic concentrations of (2-methylbutyryl)shikonin
significantly repressed cellular tyrosinase activity and melanin synthesis
in both in vitro and in vivo models
(C57BL/6J mice). (2-Methylbutyryl)shikonin remarkably abolished the
protein expression of MITF, tyrosinase, tyrosinase-related protein
1, and tyrosinase-related protein 2, thereby blocking the production
of pigment melanin via modulating the phosphorylation status of MAPK
proteins, viz., ERK1/2 and p38. In addition, specific inhibition of
ERK1/2 attenuated the inhibitory effects of (2-methylbutyryl)shikonin
on melanin synthesis, whereas selective inhibition of p38 augmented
the inhibitory effect of BSHK on melanin synthesis. Moreover, topical
application of (2-methylbutyryl)shikonin on C57BL/6J mouse tails remarkably
induced tail depigmentation. In conclusion, with these findings, we,
for the first time, report the hypopigmentation effect of (2-methylbutyryl)shikonin
via inhibition of cellular tyrosinase enzyme activity, subsequently
ameliorating the melanin production, thereby indicating that (2-methylbutyryl)shikonin
is a potential natural therapy for hyperpigmentation disorders.