Inhibitory effect of Cyrtomium falcatum on melanogenesis in α-MSH-stimulated B16F10 murine melanoma cells

Objective: To explore the anti-melanogenic potential of Cyrtomium falcatum. Methods: The effects of Cyrtomium falcatum crude extract and its solvent fractions on tyrosinase activity, melanin content, and the expressions of melanogenesis-related genes and proteins were analyzed in α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH)-stimulated B16F10 cells. Results: α-MSH treatment significantly increased tyrosinase activity, and extracellular and intracellular melanin content, as well as the expression levels of tyrosinase, microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF), tyrosinase-related protein (TRP)-1, and TRP-2 in B16F10 cells. Treatment with Cyrtomium falcatum crude extract and its solvent fractions reduced tyrosinase activity and extracellular and intracellular melanin content and downregulated the expression levels of tyrosinase, MITF, TRP-1, and TRP-2 in a dose-dependent manner. Conclusions: Cyrtomium falcatum has potential anti-melanogenesis effects and can be used as a potential source material in cosmeceutical industry for the research and development of novel lead molecules with whitening properties.