BACKGROUND

In vitro single-cell experiments may yield inconsistent results compared to clinical trials. To enhance the reliability of cosmetic active ingredient screening, a coculture model of B16F10-HaCaT cells was established in vitro based on the structural characteristics of human skin, thereby improving the credibility of experimental outcomes. Currently, most cosmetic whitening additives primarily target simple efficacy goals such as inhibiting tyrosinase activity or melanin transfer. Therefore, investigating novel and efficient whitening additives has become a prominent research focus.

OBJECTIVES

The aim is to establish an in vitro cell coculture model for more reliable experimental results and investigate the mechanism by which Paeonia lactiflora Pall seeds oil inhibits melanin production and transfer.

METHODS

The impact of different concentrations of Paeonia lactiflora Pall seeds oil on cocultured cell proliferation rate was assessed using cck8 assay. Tyrosinase inhibition ability in cocultured cells was tested using levodopa as a substrate. Melanin production inhibition ability in coculture cells was evaluated by lysing cells with sodium hydroxide. The effect of Paeonia lactiflora Pall seeds oil on dendrite-related gene expression levels was examined through qPCR analysis. Additionally, Western blotting was employed to study the effect of Paeonia lactiflora Pall seeds oil on dendrite-related protein expression levels.

RESULTS

Different concentrations of Paeonia lactiflora Pall seeds oil did not affect the proliferation activity of cocultured cells. A specific concentration of α-MSH increased cell tyrosinase activity, cellular melanin content, as well as Rac1, Cdc42, and PAR-2 gene and protein expression related to dendritic formation. Treatment with a certain concentration of Paeonia lactiflora Pall seeds oil resulted in decreased tyrosinase activity and melanin content in cells along with downregulated expression levels of Rac1, Cdc42, and PAR-2 genes and proteins associated with dendritic formation.

CONCLUSIONS

Paeonia lactiflora Pall seeds oil at specific concentrations exhibits the ability to inhibit tyrosinase activity, decrease melanin content, and possesses the potential to impede melanin transfer.