Anti-photoageing and anti-melanogenesis activities of chrysin

Context: Melanin plays an important role in preventing skin photoageing by blocking ultraviolet B (UVB). However, East Asian women prefer light and fair skin, therefore they want to keep their skin from photoageing and at the same time reduce the melanin in their skin. Chrysin is a kind of natural flavonoid with luxurious biological activities, which has a very promising effect on achieving this goal.

Objective: To elucidate the effects and mechanisms of chrysin on photoageing and melanogenesis.

Materials and methods: Human dermal fibroblasts (HDF) and B16 murine melanoma cells were incubated with chrysin (0–25?μM) for 48?h. Anti-photoageing activity was examined in HDF by assessment of synthesis/degradation of collagen I, antioxidative and antisenescent activities through ELISA and colorimetric method. Anti-melanogenesis activity was tested by assessment of melanin, tyrosinase (TYR), melanogenic proteins inhibition activities in B16 cells using colorimetric and ELISA method.

Results: Chrysin increased collagen I secretion (50–121.54% at 6.25–25?μM) and chrysin showed anti-photoageing activity by decreasing the degradation of collagen I, repairing oxidation damage and reducing the rate of HDF senescence. Furthermore, chrysin exhibited inhibitory activities with 3.00–20.35% reduction of melanin content at 6.25–25?μM, and inhibited melanin synthesis through the inhibition of TYR activity and the suppression of melanogenic proteins (TYR, TYR-related protein-1/2 and microphthalmia-associated transcription factor) expressions.

Discussion and conclusion: Chrysin may have potential for developing a functional cosmetic agent because of its anti-photoageing and anti-melanogenesis activities.