melanocytes

Hypericin (Cyclosan) is a natural anthraquinone compound, an extract of Hypericum perforatum, which inhibits PKC, MAO, dopamine-beta-hydroxylase, reverse transcriptase, telomerase, and CYP, etc. Hypericin exhibits antimicrobial, antiviral, antitumor, and antidepressant activities.

Nonapeptide-1 (Melanostatine™ 5) can inhibit the synthesis of melanin, which makes it of interest for treating certain skin conditions.

γ-1-Melanocyte Stimulating Hormone (MSH), amide, an 11-amino acid peptide, plays a critical role in regulating sodium (Na+) balance and blood pressure by activating melanocortin receptor 3 (MC3-R).

α-MSH (MSH, amide) is amide stimulates melanocortin 1 receptor that results in the activation of adenylyl cyclase.

beta-MSH, human is an endogenous peptide hormone and neurotransmitter produced by pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC), and is also an agonist of MC4-R (melanocortin 4 receptor).

Mequinol (Leucobasal) is a synthetic derivate of hydroquinone and depigmenting agent. Although the exact mechanism of the depigmenting effects of mequinol remains unclear, it may exert its effect by oxidation of tyrosinase to cytotoxic products in melanocytes.

1. Raspberry ketone (p-Hydroxybenzyl acetone) is cytotoxic to melanocytes through the binding of RK-derived quinones to thiol proteins and the pro-oxidant activity of the RK-oligomer, the exposure of human skin to RK can cause chemical/occupational leukoderma. 2. Raspberry ketone is marketed on the Internet as a food supplement.

Acetyl zingerone is a novel multifunctional skincare ingredient that protects melanocytes against continuous DNA damage. It inhibits matrix metalloproteinases and the expression of IL-17A target genes, exhibiting both anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities.

2-Fluorodeoxyarbutin is a derivative of Deoxyarbutin and acts as an inhibitor of tyrosine hydroxylase and dopa oxidase. It suppresses melanin synthesis in intact melanocytes and can be utilized in the study of skin lightening or the treatment of pigmented lesions.

Anemonin is a natural furanone dimer that modulates tyrosinase-related proteins （TRP1, TRP2) and mRNA in human melanocytes.

Rhododendrol, (+/-)-, is an aromatic compound that may be useful in the treatment of hepatic diseases. However, this product is a known pro-oxidant which can be toxic to melanocytes.

Gp100 (25-33) corresponds to residues 25 to 33 of the mouse self/tumor antigen glycoprotein (mgp100), which is an enzyme responsible for pigment synthesis. This epitope fragment is found in both normal melanocytes and melanoma cells.

ACA-28 is an ERK MAPK signalling modulator that induces apoptosis in melanoma cells by overexpressing ERK. Its IC₅₀ values for melanoma cells (SK-MEL-28) and normal melanocytes (NHEM) are 5.3 and 10.1 μM respectively.

Decapeptide-12, a competitive inhibitor of mushroom tyrosinase with an IC50 of 40 µM and a Kd of 61.1 μM for the C-terminal residue of tyrosinase, is a small oligopeptide that reduces melanin content in melanocytes by interacting with tyrosinase and increasing transcription of SIRT. It is utilized in researching melanogenesis, senescence, and inflammation [1] [2] [3].

Nonapeptide-1 (Melanostatine-5) acetate salt is a peptide hormone that functions as a selective and competitive antagonist of the melanocortin 1 receptor (MC1R) with a binding affinity (K i) of 40 nM. It effectively inhibits α-MSH-induced increases in intracellular cyclic AMP (cAMP) and melanosome dispersion in melanocytes, with inhibitory concentrations (IC 50) of 2.5 nM and 11 nM, respectively. By inhibiting melanin synthesis, Nonapeptide-1 acetate salt is used in research related to skin pigmentation, adrenal gland steroid production regulation, and skin cancer [1] [2] [3].

IIIM-8 is a melanogenesis inhibitor that suppresses pigment production in both in vitro and in vivo settings, exhibiting no cytotoxic effects on Human Adult Epidermal Melanocytes (HAEM). It has potential applications in the study of hyperpigmentation disorders [1].

Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-20 (PTP20) is a bioactive peptide known to preserve the function of follicular melanocytes and is reported to be used as an ingredient in cosmetics [1].

Dendrogenin A (DDA) is a compound acting as a selective liver X receptor (LXR) modulator, cholesterol epoxide hydrolase inhibitor (Ki = 120 nM), and a metabolic product of cholesterol, originating from 5,6α-epoxy cholesterol through histamine conjugation via DDA synthase. This compound is present in non-cancerous human mammary epithelial cells and melanocytes, but absent or minimally present in various breast carcinoma, melanoma cells, and isolated human breast tumor tissues. DDA impedes the activation of LXRβ and LXRα induced by 22(R)-hydroxy cholesterol (IC50s = 76 and 362 nM, respectively), yet it also functions as a partial LXR agonist, boosting the protein levels of Nur77, NOR-1, LC3-I, and LC3-II in B16/F10 murine melanoma cells. It shows a preference for LXRα and LXRβ modulation while displaying selectivity over other receptors including pregnane X receptor (PXR), and various others at a concentration of 2.5 µM. Moreover, DDA enhances LC3-II protein levels in cancer cells and prompts autophagic cell death at specific concentrations. Notably, DDA (0.37 µg/kg) has been shown to diminish tumor growth in melanoma and mammary cancer murine models and promotes cancer cell differentiation both in vitro and in vivo.

N-Ac-4-S-CAP is a compound that exhibits selective cytotoxicity towards melanin-producing cells in mouse hair follicles, causing 98% depigmentation. Within four hours of intraperitoneal injection, visible changes occur in these melanocytes, including the aggregation of melanin granules and nuclear condensation. Electron microscopy reveals progressive destruction of these cells, evidenced by swelling of membranous organelles, nuclear condensation, and cytoplasmic vacuolization, leading ultimately to complete cell death. N-Ac-4-S-CAP selectively targets active melanin-producing melanocytes but does not appear to affect precursor or dormant melanocytes. These properties suggest potential applications for N-Ac-4-S-CAP in melanoma suppression or skin whitening.

(Rac)-Anemonin is the racemic form of anemonin and is used in research within the life sciences. Anemonin is a natural furanone dimer that modulates tyrosinase-related proteins and mRNA in human melanocytes.

Anemonin (Standard) is a reference standard for research and analysis in studies involving Anemonin . Anemonin is a natural furanone dimer that modulates tyrosinase-related proteins （TRP1, TRP2) and mRNA in human melanocytes.

Mequinol (Standard) is the standard substance of Mequinol, and it is applicable for quantitative analysis, quality control, and related research in biochemical experiments. Mequinol (Leucobasal) is a synthetic derivate of hydroquinone and depigmenting agent. Although the exact mechanism of the depigmenting effects of mequinol remains unclear, it may exert its effect by oxidation of tyrosinase to cytotoxic products in melanocytes.

Manassantin A (Standard) is a reference standard for research and analysis in studies involving Manassantin A. Manassantin A is a high potent HIF-1 inhibitor, it protects the gastric mucosa from ethanol-induced acute gastric injury, and suggest that these protective effects might be associated with COX/PGE2 stimulation, inhibition of iNOS production and NF-κB activation, and improvements in the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory status.Manassantin A represents a potential therapeutic approach for the treatment of airway allergic-inflammatory diseases. Manassantin A inhibits cAMP-induced melanin production by down-regulating the gene expressions of MITF and tyrosinase in melanocytes.

trans-Dihydromorin is an effective hypopigmenting agent in normal skin cells, hypopigmenting agents effective in melanoma system may not be effective on normal melanocytes, indicating that a non-tumor melanocyte system is more suitable for the screening o