Bicyclic monoterpene diols induce differentiation of S91 melanoma and PC12 pheochromocytoma cells by a cyclic guanosine-monophosphate-dependent pathway

Stereoselective synthesis and application of isopulegol-based bi- and trifunctional chiral compounds

A new family of isopulegol-based bi- and trifunctional chiral ligands such as triols, tetrols, aminodiols and aminotriols was developed from commercially available (−)-isopulegol with antibacterial, antifungal and antioxidant activities.

Bicyclic monoterpene diols stimulate release of nitric oxide from skin cells, increase microcirculation, and elevate skin temperature

Bicyclic monoterpene diols (BMTd) stimulate nitric oxide synthesis in melanoma and neuronal cells, representing cell types arising from embryonic neural crest tissue. This study shows that an equimolar mixture of the BMTd's 2,3-cis/exo-pinanediol and 2,3-cis/exo-camphanediol stimulates nitric oxide synthesis in epithelial cells of the skin, specifically normal human epidermal keratinocytes (NHEK) and normal human microvascular endothelial cells (HMVEC). A 1 mM mixture increased nitric oxide 3-fold in HMVEC in the first 24 h after treatment, and a 2 mM mixture produced an equivalent increase in NHEK. We hypothesized that an increase in nitric oxide in skin would lead to an increase in microcirculation, thereby increasing skin temperature. We found that twice daily application of 1mM BMTd lotion significantly increased arm skin temperature by 0.5 degrees C in 14 days compared to placebo, while a 2 mM mixture significantly increased skin temperature by 0.3 degrees C in 7 days (P < or = 0.05; ANOVA). A single application of a 2 mM BMTd mixture applied 30 min before a 30 min cold challenge (6 degrees C), maintained facial skin temperature 1.4 degrees C above untreated control sites (P < or = 0.05; ANOVA). We also tested whether BMTd treatment would benefit people with dark circles under their eyes. Twenty-six panelists with dark undereye circles completed 2-week, twice daily application of a lotion containing the 1mM mixture to one eye while the other eye was untreated. Seven of 26 subjects showed a reduction of darkness of undereye circles (P < or = 0.05; paired t test). Application of 2 mM BMTd lotion to lips resulted in a significant increase in their redness, as measured by the erythema index (P < or = 0.05; ANOVA). These results show that a mixture of BMTd's increases nitric oxide, and application to skin increases microcirculation and skin temperature.

Fundamental role of nitric oxide in neuritogenesis of PC12h cells

1 We investigated the neuritogenic action of nitric oxide (NO)-generating agents and their mechanisms of action in a subclone of rat pheochromocytoma, PC12h cells. 2 NO donors such as sodium nitroprusside (SNP, 0.05-1 microM), NOR1 (5-100 microM), NOR2 (5-20 microM), NOR3 (5-20 microM), NOR4 (5-100 microM), or S-nitroso-N-acetyl-DL-penicillamine (SNAP, 10-100 microM) significantly induced neurite outgrowth. 3 NOR4-induced neurite outgrowth was accompanied by expression of neurofilament 200 kDa subunit (NF200) protein, an axonal marker, and was significantly inhibited by an NO scavenger, a soluble GC inhibitor, and a PKG inhibitor: 2-(4-carboxyphenyl)-4,4,5,5-tetramethylimidazole-1-oxyl-3-oxide (carboxy-PTIO, 20-100 microM), 1H-[1,2,4]oxadiazolo[4,3-a] quinoxalin-1-one (ODQ, 100 microM) and KT5823 (0.2-1 microM), respectively. 4 The intracellular cGMP concentration of cells was markedly increased by treatment with NOR4 (100 microM). 5 A mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) kinase inhibitor, PD98059 (10-50 microM), abolished the NOR4-induced neurite outgrowth. In agreement with this observation, NOR4 did phosphorylate extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) 1 and 2, substrates of MAPK kinase. 6 A membrane-permeable cGMP analog, 8-Br-cGMP (1 mM) also induced significant neurite outgrowth. The 8-Br-cGMP-induced neurite outgrowth was almost completely inhibited by both KT5823 (0.5 microM) and PD98059 (50 microM). Moreover, sustained ERK phosphorylation was observed in the 8-Br-cGMP-treated PC12h cells. 7 These results suggest that NO itself has the ability to induce neurite outgrowth and that NO-induced ERK activation involves the NO-cGMP-PKG signaling pathway in PC12h cells.

Effects of a melanogenic bicyclic monoterpene diol on cell cycle, p53, TNF-alpha, and PGE2 are distinct from those of UVB

PURPOSE

Bicyclic monoterpene (BMT) diols are small-molecule compounds that mimic ultraviolet radiation (UVR) by inducing melanogenesis. The objective of this study was to compare the effects of 2,2-dimethyl-3-propanyldiol-norbornane (AGI-1140), a novel BMT diol, and ultraviolet B (UVB) on additional cellular responses.

METHODS

S91 mouse melanoma cells were treated with a range of concentrations of AGI-1140, and examined for induction of melanogenesis and nitric oxide (NO). The effect of AGI-1140 on dendrite outgrowth from human melanocytes was examined by quantitative microscopy. The effect of AGI-1140 and UVB on phosphorylation of p53 serine 15 in human keratinocytes was examined by Western blotting, while the release of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The effects of AGI-1140 and UVB on cell cycle arrest of human melanocytes, keratinocytes, fibroblasts, and endothelial cells were compared using fluorescence-activated cell sorting.

RESULTS

Similar to UVB, AGI-1140 induced both melanogenesis and NO in melanoma cells. AGI-1140 also induced dendrite outgrowth from melanocytes, indicative of differentiation. However, whereas UVB induced G2 cell cycle arrest with phosphorylation of p53 at serine 15, AGI-1140 induced G1 cell cycle arrest without this phosphorylation. Additionally, unlike UVB, AGI-1140 did not increase the secretion of TNF-alpha or PGE2, mediators of UVB-induced immunosuppressive and inflammatory responses in the skin that may contribute to carcinogenesis.

CONCLUSION

This study shows that melanogenesis can be induced by AGI-1140 without many of the deleterious effects associated with UVB.

Histamine is involved in ultraviolet B-induced pigmentation of guinea pig skin

We previously reported that histamine induced melanogenesis in cultured human melanocytes and that the stimulatory effect was mediated by protein kinase A activation via H2 receptors. It is well-known that ultraviolet B irradiation causes acute inflammation, known as erythema, and subsequent pigmentation, and there are several reports demonstrating an elevation of the histamine levels in ultraviolet B-irradiated skin. Thus, to evaluate the involvement of histamine in ultraviolet B-induced skin pigmentation, we examined the effect of an H2 antagonist in brownish guinea pig skin. Daily exposure to 200 mJ per cm2 ultraviolet B for 3 d evoked erythema and subsequent pigmentation in the skin samples tested. Moreover, a remarkable increase in dopa-positive melanocytes was observed in the pigmented area, which showed an increase in melanin synthesis. Topical application of famotidine, an H2 antagonist, significantly reduced pigmentation and moderated the increase of dopa-positive melanocytes in the ultraviolet B-irradiated skin. Even when the initiation of famotidine application was delayed to day 2 after irradiation, an inhibitory activity on ultraviolet B-induced pigmentation was observed; however, the ultraviolet B-induced erythema was not suppressed by topically applied famotidine. Thus, we concluded that histamine is involved in ultraviolet B-induced pigmentation and that famotidine suppressed the pigmentation by the prevention of histamine binding to H2 receptors in melanocytes but not by prevention of ultraviolet B permeability and inflammation.

Skin pigmentation enhancers

The highest incidences of cancer are found in the skin, but endogenous pigmentation is associated with markedly reduced risk. Agents that enhance skin pigmentation have the potential to reduce both photodamage and skin cancer incidence. The purpose of this review is to evaluate agents that have the potential to increase skin pigmentation. These include topically applied substances that simulate natural pigmentation: dihydroxyacetone and melanins; and substances that stimulate the natural pigmentation process: psoralens with UVA (PUVA), dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO), L-tyrosine, L-Dopa, lysosomotropic agents, diacylglycerols, thymidine dinucleotides, DNA fragments, melanocyte stimulating hormone (MSH) analogs, 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine (IBMX), nitric oxide donors, and bicyclic monoterpene (BMT) diols. These agents are compared with regards to efficacy when administered to melanoma cells, normal human epidermal melanocytes, animal skin, and human skin. In addition, mechanisms of action are reviewed since these may reveal issues related to both efficacy and safety. Both dihydroxyacetone and topically applied melanins are presently available to the consumer, and both of these have been shown to provide some photoprotection. Of the pigmentation stimulators, only PUVA and MSH analogs have been tested extensively on humans, but there are concerns about the safety and side effects of both. At least some of the remaining pigmentation stimulators under development have the potential to safely induce a photoprotective tan.