The pathological condition of excessive melanogenesis causing freckles, melasma, senile lentigo, pigmented acne scars, and cancer has a critical impact on the wellness of individuals. The mechanism of melanogenesis is related to the expression of melanogenic enzymes. Here, we evaluated the inhibitory effect of pine cone (Pinus densiflora) extracts on melanogenesis. P. densiflora, the Korean Red Pine, is the predominant tree species in the cool, temperate forests of northeast Asia, occurring in pure stands across Korea, Japan, and parts of northern China and Russia. P. densiflora leaves, pollen, and bark have been widely used for traditional medicine, or edible purposes. However, pine cones are rarely used as natural raw materials, although they contain many bioactive phytochemicals. The pine cone ethyl acetate fraction (PEF) showed no toxicity to B16F10 cells at a concentration of less than 100 ㎍/mL. PEF inhibited the expression of microphthalmiaassociated transcription factor (MITF), tyrosinase and tyrosinase-related factors in B16F10 cells treated with 3-Isobutyl- 1-methylxanthine (IBMX). These results suggest that pine cones can be used as an effective natural melanogenesis inhibitory agent.

Abstract
Introduction
Materials and Methods
    Experimental materials
    Ethyl acetate fractionation
    Cell culture
    Immunoblotting
    Revers transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR)
    Quantitative PCR Analysis
    Statistical analysis
Results and Discussion
References

• Seung-Hyun Lee(Industry-Academia Cooperation Foundation, Jungwon University)
• Tae-Won Jang(Department of Medicinal Plant Resources, Andong National University)
• Ji-Soo Choi(Department of Medicinal Plant Science, Jungwon University)
• Jeong-Yun Mun(Department of Pharmaceutical Science, Jungwon University)
• Jae-Ho Park(Department of Pharmaceutical Science, Jungwon University) Corresponding author