Codonopsis pilosula Extract Protects Melanocytes against H2O2-Induced Oxidative Stress by Activating Autophagy

Recently, as the anti-aging role of melanin in skin and inhibition production has been identified, development materials capable maintaining homeostasis attracting attention. In this study, we further investigated anti-melanogenic effect Codonopsis pilosula extract (CPE) and, under oxidative stress, cytoprotective Melan-a melanocytes exposed to H2O2. First, CPE treatment significantly reduced by inhibiting melanogenesis-associated proteins, including microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF), tyrosinase, tyrosinase-related protein 2 (TRP 2), a result phosphorylation MAPK/JNK cells. Next, investigate protective effects on oxidative-stress-induced injury its molecular mechanism, determined after inducing stress exposing protected cells from H2O2-induced cytotoxicity reducing expression gene encoding Bax pro-apoptotic protein, whereas it induced genes B-cell lymphoma 3 (Bcl2) family MITF, which is transcriptional regulator that promotes melanocyte differentiation. Furthermore, our results show enhanced autophagy-related proteins such Beclin-1 light chain (LC3) II; was substantially reversed 3-methyladenin (MA, an autophagy inhibitor) pretreatment. Collectively, findings demonstrate exhibits not only normal melanocytes, but also subjected MITF expression. Therefore, believe potent candidate for cell maintenance melanocytes.