This study was conducted to investigate the effect of branch extracts of Vaccinium oldhamii (VOB) on melanin synthesis in B16F10 cells. VOB promoted melanin production in absence or presence of α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH) in B16F10 cells. However, VOB did not affect the expression of tyrosinase and TRP-1 associated with melanin synthesis at the mRNA and protein levels in B16F10. But, VOB decreased TRP-2 protein level and induced tyrosinase activation in B16F10 cells. Inhibition of tyrosinase activity and tyrosinase knockdown attenuated VOB-mediated melanin synthesis. In conclusion, VOB may stimulate melanin synthesis through activating tyrosinase activity.

Abstract
  Introduction
  Materials and methods
  Results and discussion
  References

• Kun Ho Son(Department of Food and Nutrition, Andong National University)
• Jueng Kyu Baek(Department of Medicinal Plant Resources, Andong National University)
• Su Bin Park(Department of Medicinal Plant Resources, Andong National University)
• Ha Na Kim(Department of Medicinal Plant Resources, Andong National University)
• Gwang Hun Park(Forest Medicinal Resources Research Center, National Institute of Forest Science)
• Ho-Jun Son(Forest Medicinal Resources Research Center, National Institute of Forest Science)
• Hyun Ji Eo(Forest Medicinal Resources Research Center, National Institute of Forest Science)
• Jeong Ho Song(Forest Medicinal Resources Research Center, National Institute of Forest Science)
• Hyung Jin Jeong(Department of Medicinal Plant Resources, Andong National University)
• Jin Boo Jeong(Department of Medicinal Plant Resources, Andong National University) Corresponding author