마황 에탄올추출물의 Tyrosinase 활성 억제 및 Melanin 생성 억제 효과

This study observed the effects of Ephedra sinica (E. sinica) ethanol extract in SK-MEL-2 cells on tyrosinase activity and melanin generation to identify its whitening activity and searched for changes in the protein expression of tyrosinase, TRP-1 and TRP-2 which are involved in melanin synthesis. Also, α-MSH, a melanin-stimulating enzyme was applied to skin to induce hyperpigmentation and to identify the skin whitening effect. The following results were obtained. As a result of measuring its tyrosinase inhibitory activity in vitro, it showed good inhibitory rates depending on concentration. When its effect on tyrosinase activity and melanin generation in SK-MEL-2 cell was analysed, tyrosinase activity decreased at a concentration of 50 ㎍/mL and with arbutin at 82.2%, and tyrosinase activity decreased 70.4% in E. sinica ethanol extract. As a result of measuring melanin generation, arbutin was inhibited 83.6% in 50 ㎍/mL , and 64% of E. sinica ethanol extract inhibited melanin. In investigating the effect of tyrosinase, TRP-1 and TRP-2 on protein expression in hyperpigmentation by α-MSH using western blot, E. sinica ethanol extract made the expression of tyrosinase and TRP2 decrease more significantly than arbutin. Therefore, E. sinica ethanol extract showed good effects in inhibiting tyrosinase activity and melanin generation in SK-MEL-2 cells, and inhibited melanin synthesis through inhibition of gene expression. Also, it effectively decreased the generation of tyrosinase and melanin increased by α-MSH. Based on the results above, it is suggested that E. sinica can be developed as a natural skin care material for use in whitening.