Anti-melanogenic activity of rice bran extracts for development of cosmeceutical ingredients

Abstract

Rice bran is rich in bioactive compounds, but its potential for cosmeceutical applications remains insufficiently explored. In this study, we investigated the anti-melanogenic effects of a 70% ethanol extract of rice bran prepared by ultrasonication in distilled water. The extract was evaluated for DPPH radical scavenging activity, cytotoxicity, tyrosinase inhibition, melanin production, and associated signaling pathways in B16F10 murine melanoma cells. The rice bran extract exhibited DPPH radical scavenging activity and showed no cytotoxicity in B16F10 cells. It also inhibited tyrosinase activity in a dose-dependent manner and suppressed melanin synthesis in B16F10 cells. Mechanistically, the extract reduced the TRP1, TRP2, and MITF protein levels, while increasing the phosphorylation of Erk and Akt in B16F10 cells. In addition, treatment with PD98059 or LY294002 attenuated the extract-induced downregulation of MITF and altered MITF phosphorylation. These findings suggest that rice bran extract may serve as a potential cosmeceutical ingredient for controlling melanogenesis, warranting further cosmeceutical investigation.

Keywords

Oryza sativa / cosmetics / melanosis / microphthalmia-associated transcription factor / tyrosinase-related protein 1 / tyrosinase-related protein 2

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