Platycladus orientalis shells promote melanogenesis via p38, AKT and Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathways

Background: Platycladus orientalis, which has been employed in traditional Chinese medicine for cool blood, antibacterial, promotion of hair growth and therapy of poliosis for centuries. However, there have been few reports focusing on Platycladus orientalis shells treating pigmentary disorders. Methods: In present study, gas chromatography mass spectrometry was applied to analyzing the volatile composition of Platycladus orientalis shells and cellular metabolism. Experiments in vivo were carried out to evaluate the effect of Platycladus orientalis shells treating pigmentation disorders in C57BL/6J mice. Results: Our results indicated that cedrol occupied the largest percentage in Platycladus orientalis shells (17.1%). Meanwhile, Platycladus orientalis shells up-regulated the content of palmitic acid and increased melanin content and tyrosinase activity. Its mechanism possibly involved in the inhibiting phosphorylation of AKT and beta-catenin, increasing phosphorylation of p38 to promote microphthalmia-associated transcription factor expression. The animal experiment also proved that Platycladus orientalis shells promoted melanogensis and hair blacken in C57BL/6J mice. Conclusion: All in all, Platycladus orientalis shells potentially promoted melanogenesis in vitro and in vivo. Cedrol was regarded as the main active substance in Platycladus orientalis shells. Therefore, it could be used for treatment of pigmentary disorders under safe concentration in the prospective application.