Inhibition of c-Kit signaling by diosmetin isolated from Chrysanthemum morifolium

Arch Pharm Res. 2014 Feb;37(2):175-85. doi: 10.1007/s12272-013-0158-7. Epub 2013 May 26.

Abstract

The interaction of stem cell factor (SCF) with its cognate receptor c-Kit is closely associated with the survival and maturation of melanocytes. To investigate novel depigmentation agents, we screened 2,000 plant extracts for c-Kit inhibitors to identify active small molecules by using time-resolved fluorescence enzyme assays. For the active extracts identified as inhibitors of c-Kit enzyme, we evaluated the effects of the active extracts and isolated flavonoids on c-Kit phosphorylation in MO7e/melanocytes. Anti-melanogenic activity was also examined in melanocytes and melanoderm model. The flavonoids such as diosmetin, apigenin, acacetin and luteolin isolated from Chrysanthemum morifolium were found to be active in inhibiting c-Kit both at enzyme and cellular levels. In addition, these flavonoids attenuated SCF-induced proliferation of human primary melanocytes without toxicity and suppressed ultraviolet (UV) B irradiation-mediated melanin synthesis significantly. Among the active flavonoids, diosmetin was found to inhibit SCF-induced melanogenesis in a human melanoderm model. These results strongly suggest that C. morifolium extract and diosmetin have potential to suppress SCF-/UVB-induced melanogenesis, and could be developed as anti-pigmentation agents.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Blotting, Western
  • Cell Culture Techniques
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Proliferation / drug effects
  • Chrysanthemum / chemistry*
  • Flavonoids / isolation & purification
  • Flavonoids / pharmacology*
  • Flowers / chemistry
  • Fluoroimmunoassay
  • Humans
  • Melanins / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Melanins / biosynthesis
  • Melanocytes / drug effects
  • Melanocytes / metabolism
  • Melanocytes / radiation effects
  • Mice
  • Microscopy, Phase-Contrast
  • Models, Biological
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit / genetics
  • Sf9 Cells
  • Signal Transduction / drug effects*
  • Spodoptera
  • Stem Cell Factor / pharmacology
  • Stem Cell Factor / physiology
  • Ultraviolet Rays

Substances

  • Flavonoids
  • Melanins
  • Stem Cell Factor
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit
  • diosmetin