Publication date: Jun 26, 2025
Obacunone is one of the major limonoids found in citrus fruits, and it is known for its various health benefits. In this study, we examined the effects of obacunone on melanogenesis and collagen homeostasis using B16F10 mouse melanoma cells and CCD-986sk human dermal fibroblast cells, respectively. Obacunone at concentrations of 20-100 μM inhibited melanogenesis induced by α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone without causing cytotoxicity in B16F10 cells. Treatment with obacunone reduced melanocortin 1 receptor, increased transforming growth factor-β1, and inhibited microphthalmia transcription factor, tyrosinase-related protein-1, tyrosinase-related protein-2, and tyrosinase expressions as well as tyrosinase activity. Furthermore, obacunone inhibited RAB27A and MYOA, which are involved in regulating melanin transport to keratinocytes. Obacunone maintained collagen homeostasis up to 20 μM in ultraviolet (UV)-B-irradiated CCD-986sk cells. The treatment with obacunone increased collagen type I alpha 2, transforming growth factor-β1, and tissue inhibitor of metalloprotease 1, while inhibiting matrix metalloproteinases-1 and matrix metalloproteinases-9. The results of the current study suggest that obacunone may be utilized to improve skin tone and structure as part of therapeutics or cosmetics.
| Concepts | Keywords |
|---|---|
| Citrus | collagen |
| Homeostasis | melanin |
| Limonoids | obacunone |
| Metalloproteinases | skin |
| skin aging |
Semantics
| Type | Source | Name |
|---|---|---|
| pathway | KEGG | Melanogenesis |
| disease | MESH | Melanoma |
| pathway | KEGG | Melanoma |
| disease | MESH | microphthalmia |