The melanogenesis alteration effects of Achillea millefolium L. essential oil and linalyl acetate: involvement of oxidative stress and the JNK and ERK signaling pathways in melanoma cells

PLoS One. 2014 Apr 17;9(4):e95186. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0095186. eCollection 2014.

Abstract

The mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) family, including extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)1/2, c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK)1/2 and p38 MAPK, is known to be activated by ultraviolet (UV) radiation in melanocytes to regulate melanin production. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) play important roles in the pathway of ERK and JNK activation. It has been established that the essential oil of Achillea millefolium L. (AM-EO) has activities that suppress the oxidative stress and inflammatory responses. Thus, we analyzed the effects of AM-EO on melanogenesis in melanocyte stimulating hormone (α-MSH) treated melanoma cells. The results demonstrated that AM-EO suppresses melanin production by decreasing tyrosinase activity through the regulation of the JNK and ERK signaling pathways. This effect might be associated with the AM-EO activity leading to the suppression of ROS, and linalyl acetate is its major functional component. Therefore, we propose that AM-EO has the potential to treat hyperpigmentation in the future.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Achillea / chemistry*
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • MAP Kinase Kinase 4 / metabolism*
  • MAP Kinase Signaling System / drug effects*
  • Melanins / biosynthesis*
  • Melanoma / metabolism*
  • Melanoma / pathology
  • Monoterpenes / chemistry
  • Monoterpenes / pharmacokinetics*
  • Neoplasm Proteins / metabolism*
  • Oils, Volatile / chemistry
  • Oils, Volatile / pharmacology*
  • Oxidative Stress / drug effects*
  • Pigmentation / drug effects
  • Reactive Oxygen Species / metabolism

Substances

  • Melanins
  • Monoterpenes
  • Neoplasm Proteins
  • Oils, Volatile
  • Reactive Oxygen Species
  • linalyl acetate
  • Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases
  • MAP Kinase Kinase 4

Grants and funding

The authors are grateful for financial support from the National Science Council of the Republic of China (NSC 102-2313-B-126-004-MY3, NSC 102-2113-M-126 -003and NSC102-2313-B-126-001-MY3). The URL of NSC's website is http://web1.nsc.gov.tw. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.