Anti-Melanogenic Activity of Ethanolic Extract from <i>Garcinia atroviridis</i> Fruits Using In Vitro Experiments, Network Pharmacology, Molecular Docking, and Molecular Dynamics Simulation

oleh: Aman Tedasen, Anchalee Chiabchalard, Tewin Tencomnao, Kenshi Yamasaki, Hideyuki J. Majima, Atthaphong Phongphithakchai, Moragot Chatatikun

Format: Article
Diterbitkan: MDPI AG 2024-06-01

Deskripsi

Melanin, the pigment responsible for human skin color, increases susceptibility to UV radiation, leading to excessive melanin production and hyperpigmentation disorders. This study investigated the ethanolic extract of <i>Garcinia atroviridis</i> fruits for its phenolic and flavonoid contents, antioxidant activity, and impact on melanogenesis pathways using qRT-PCR and Western blot analysis. Utilizing network pharmacology, molecular docking, and dynamics simulations, researchers explored <i>G. atroviridis</i> fruit extract’s active compounds, targets, and pharmacological effects on hyperpigmentation. <i>G. atroviridis</i> fruit extract exhibited antioxidant properties, scavenging DPPH<sup>•</sup> and ABTS<sup>•+</sup> radicals radicals and chelating copper. It inhibited cellular tyrosinase activity and melanin content in stimulated B16F10 cells, downregulating TYR, TRP-1, phosphorylated CREB, CREB, and MITF proteins along with transcription levels of MITF, TYR, and TRP-2. LC-MS analysis identified thirty-three metabolites, with seventeen compounds selected for further investigation. Network pharmacology revealed 41 hyperpigmentation-associated genes and identified significant GO terms and KEGG pathways, including cancer-related pathways. Kaempferol-3-O-α-L-rhamnoside exhibited high binding affinity against MAPK3/ERK1, potentially regulating melanogenesis by inhibiting tyrosinase activity. Stable ligand–protein interactions in molecular dynamics simulations supported these findings. Overall, this study suggests that the ethanolic extract of <i>G. atroviridis</i> fruits possesses significant antioxidant, tyrosinase inhibitory, and anti-melanogenic properties mediated through key molecular targets and pathways.