Meijun Pang, Hong Yao, Kechen Bao, Ruitian Xu, Rongjiao Xi, Rui Peng, Hui Zhi, Kuo Zhang, Runnan He, Yunfei Du, Yanfang Su, Xiuyun Liu* and Dong Ming* Pages 1 - 14 ( 14 )
Introduction: Melanogenesis, the process responsible for melanin production, is a critical determinant of skin pigmentation. Dysregulation of this process can lead to hyperpigmentation disorders.
Method: In this study, we identified a novel Reed Rhizome extract, (1'S, 2'S)-syringyl glycerol 3'-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (compound 5), and evaluated its anti-melanogenic potential in zebrafish models and in vitro assays. Compound 5 inhibited melanin synthesis by 36.66% ± 14.00% and tyrosinase in vivo by 48.26% ± 6.94%, surpassing the inhibitory effects of arbutin. Network pharmacological analysis revealed key targets, including HSP90AA1, HRAS, and PIK3R1, potentially involved in the anti-melanogenic effects of compound 5.
Results: Molecular docking studies supported the interactions between compound 5 and these targets. Further, gene expression analysis in zebrafish indicated that compound 5 up-regulates hsp90aa1.1, hrasa, and pik3r1, and subsequently down-regulating mitfa, tyr, and tyrp1, critical genes in melanogenesis.
Conclusion: These findings suggest that compound 5 inhibits melanin production via PI3K-Akt and Ras-Raf-MEK-ERK signaling pathways, positioning it as a promising candidate for the treatment of hyperpigmentation.
Reed Rhizome extract, anti-melanogenesis, zebrafish model, tyrosinase, mechanism.