Finasteride inhibits melanogenesis through regulation of the adenylate cyclase in melanocytes and melanoma cells

• Published in: Archives of pharmacal research Vol. 41; no. 3; pp. 324 - 332
• Main Authors: Seo, Jae Ok, Yumnam, Silvia, Jeong, Kwang Won, Kim, Sun Yeou
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Seoul Pharmaceutical Society of Korea 01.03.2018; 대한약학회
• Subjects: adenylate cyclase; alopecia; alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone; cytotoxicity; enzyme inhibitors; Medicine; melanin; melanocytes; melanogenesis; melanoma; Pharmacology/Toxicology; Pharmacy; prostatic neoplasms; protein synthesis; Research Article; transcription factors; 약학; Finasteride; MC1R; Melanogenesis; B16F10; Melan-a
• ISSN: 0253-6269; 1976-3786; 1976-3786
• DOI: 10.1007/s12272-018-1002-x

Finasteride is a well-known 5α-reductase inhibitor used for treatment of alopecia and prostate cancer. But the effect of finasteride in regulating melanogenesis is still unclear. In the present study the role of finasteride on melanogenesis was investigated. Finasteride decrease melanin level in melanocyte melan-a cells and B16F10 melanoma cells without inducing cytotoxicity. MC1R (melanocortin 1 receptor) protein expression was also inhibited by finasteride thereby decreasing the expression of adenylate cyclase, MITF (Melanogenesis associated transcription factor), tyrosinases, TRP (tyrosinase-related protein) -1 and -2. Thus our study suggest that finasteride inhibits melanogenesis in melanocyte and melanoma cells by inhibiting MC1R.