A novel psoralen derivative-MPFC enhances melanogenesis via activation of p38 MAPK and PKA signaling pathways in B16 cells.

As an active compound, psoralen is present in various Chinese herbal medicines and has exhibited significant activity in skin disease treatment. Its derivative 8-methoxypsoralan (8-MOP) is the most commonly used drug to induce repigmentation of vitiligo. In our previous screening assays, 4-methyl-6-phenyl-2H-furo[3,2-g]chromen-2-one (MPFC), a psoralen derivative, was identified as more effective tyrosinase and melanin activator than the positive control 8-MOP in consideration of low doses, as well as low toxicity. The overall purpose of this study was to characterize the melanogenic effect and mechanisms of MPFC in B16 cells. The melanin biosynthesis effects of MPFC were determined by examination of cellular melanin contents, tyrosinase activity assay, cyclic adenosinemonophosphate (cAMP) assay, and western blotting of MPFC-stimulated B16 mouse melanoma cells. Our results showed that MPFC enhanced both melanin synthesis and tyrosinase activity in a concentration-dependent manner as well as significantly activated the expression of melanogenic proteins such as tyrosinase, tyrosinase-related protein-1 and tyrosinase-related protein-2. Western blot analysis showed that MPFC increased the phosphorylation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase and cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB) as well as the expression of microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF). Moreover, MPFC stimulated intracellular cAMP levels and induced tyrosinase activity and melanin synthesis were attenuated by H89, a protein kinase A inhibitor. These results indicated that MPFC-mediated activation of the p38 MAPK and the protein kinase A (PKA) pathway may shed light on a novel approach for an effective therapy for vitiligo.