The signaling of stem cell factor (SCF) through\nits receptor Kit is known to play an important role in regulating\ncutaneous melanogenesis. In the course of UVBinduced\npigmentation, the expression of membrane-bound\nSCF by epidermal keratinocytes is upregulated at an early\nphase and subsequently activates neighboring melanocytes\nvia their Kit receptors. In order to identify effective skinlightening\nmaterials, we screened botanical extracts to\ndetermine their abilities to diminish Kit expression in melanocytes.\nA Platycodon root extract was consequently found\nto have a remarkable inhibitory activity on Kit expression.\nWhen the extract was applied to three-dimensional human\nskin substitutes in vitro and to human skin in vivo after UVB\nirradiation, their pigmentation was significantly reduced,\nconfirming the substantial contribution of the suppression of\nSCF/Kit signaling to preventing or inhibiting melanin synthesis.\nThese data demonstrate that a Platycodon root extract\nis a promising material for a skin-lightening product to\nimprove pigmentation-related diseases.
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