4-(Phenylsulfanyl)butan-2-One Suppresses Melanin Synthesis and Melanosome Maturation In Vitro and In Vivo

• Main Authors: Shing-Yi Sean Wu, Hui-Min David Wang, Yi-Shan Wen, Wangta Liu, Pin-Hui Li, Chien-Chih Chiu, Pei-Chin Chen, Chiung-Yao Huang, Jyh-Horng Sheu, Zhi-Hong Wen
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2015-08-01
• Series: International Journal of Molecular Sciences
• Subjects: 4-(phenylsulfanyl)butan-2-one; melanogenesis; tyrosinase; melanosome maturation; zebrafish
• Online Access: http://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/16/9/20240

In this study, we screened compounds with skin whitening properties and favorable safety profiles from a series of marine related natural products, which were isolated from Formosan soft coral Cladiella australis. Our results indicated that 4-(phenylsulfanyl)butan-2-one could successfully inhibit pigment generation processes in mushroom tyrosinase platform assay, probably through the suppression of tyrosinase activity to be a non-competitive inhibitor of tyrosinase. In cell-based viability examinations, it demonstrated low cytotoxicity on melanoma cells and other normal human cells. It exhibited stronger inhibitions of melanin production and tyrosinase activity than arbutin or 1-phenyl-2-thiourea (PTU). Also, we discovered that 4-(phenylsulfanyl)butan-2-one reduces the protein expressions of melanin synthesis-related proteins, including the microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF), tyrosinase-related protein-1 (Trp-1), dopachrome tautomerase (DCT, Trp-2), and glycoprotein 100 (GP100). In an in vivo zebrafish model, it presented a remarkable suppression in melanogenesis after 48 h. In summary, our in vitro and in vivo biological assays showed that 4-(phenylsulfanyl)butan-2-one possesses anti-melanogenic properties that are significant in medical cosmetology.