음양곽 물추출액과 $alpha$-melanocyte stimulating hormone ($alpha$-MSH)에 의한 B16 melanoma 세포의 멜라닌화를 비교 조사하였으며, retinoic acid (RA)에 의한 억제효과도 연구하였다. B16 melanoma 세포(1×$10^5$개 정도)를 $alpha$-MSH로 처리하고 72시간 배양한 결과 $alpha$-MSH 처리농도에 비례하여 tyrosinase 활성도와 melanin 생성이 증가되었으며, 8 ng/mL 처리시 tyrosinase 활성도는 350%, melanin 함량은 290% 이상이었다. 음양곽 물추출액으로 처리한 경우에는, 100 ${mu}g$/mL 처리시 tyrosinase 활성도는 200%, melanin 함량은 180% 이상이었다. 위 조건에 RA를 가하면, $alpha$-MSH의 경우 tyrosinase 활성도는 350%에서 210%로, melanin 함량은 290%에서 250%로 억제되었다. 음양곽 물추출물의 경우 tyrosinase 활성도는 200%에서 100%로, melanin 함량은 180%에서 120%로 억제되었다. 이 결과는 음양곽 물추출액이 cAMP 신호전달 경로를 통하여 B16 melanoma 세포의 멜라닌화를 촉진하며, RA는 그것을 억제하는 것으로 해석된다.
Melanization of B16 melanoma cells was comparatively studied by the aqueous extract of Epimedium koreanum Nakai(EK) and $alpha$-MSH. In addition, inhibitory effects of RA was investigated. B16 melanoma cells(about 1${ imes}10_5$) have been shown an increase in tyrosinase activity and melanin contents in proportion to concentration of $alpha$-MSH when treated with $alpha$-MSH and incubated for 72 hrs. They indicated a 350% increase in tyrosinase activity and a 290% increase in melanin contents at 8 ng/mL. In case of EK, they have been shown a 200% increase in tyrosinase activity and a 180% increase in melanin contents at 100 ${mu}g$/mL. In addition of RA to the above condition, they have been shown an inhibition from 350% to 210% in tyrosinase activity and from 290% to 250% in melanin contents in $alpha$-MSH, and inhibition from 200% to 100% in tyrosinase activity and from 180% to 120% in melanin contents in EK. From the above results, it is suggested that EK promotes melanization of B16 melanoma cells through cAMP pathway, whereas RA inhibits it.
