Exploring the potential of white birch sap: A natural alternative to traditional skin whitening agents with reduced side effects
Fan Liu,
Ting Xu,
Jiaxuan He,
Yiting Jiang,
Linkai Qu,
Lei Wang,
Jiahui Ma,
Qinsi Yang,
Wei Wu,
Da Sun,
Yan Chen
Affiliations
Fan Liu
Institute of Life Sciences & Biomedical Collaborative Innovation Center of Zhejiang Province, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou, 325035, China
Ting Xu
Institute of Life Sciences & Biomedical Collaborative Innovation Center of Zhejiang Province, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou, 325035, China
Jiaxuan He
Institute of Life Sciences & Biomedical Collaborative Innovation Center of Zhejiang Province, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou, 325035, China
Yiting Jiang
Institute of Life Sciences & Biomedical Collaborative Innovation Center of Zhejiang Province, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou, 325035, China
Linkai Qu
College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, 130062, China
Lei Wang
Institute of Life Sciences & Biomedical Collaborative Innovation Center of Zhejiang Province, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou, 325035, China; Wenzhou Institute, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wenzhou, 325035, China
Jiahui Ma
Institute of Life Sciences & Biomedical Collaborative Innovation Center of Zhejiang Province, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou, 325035, China
Qinsi Yang
Wenzhou Institute, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wenzhou, 325035, China
Wei Wu
Key Laboratory for Biorheological Science and Technology of Ministry of Education, State and Local Joint Engineering Laboratory for Vascular Implants, Bioengineering College of Chongqing University, Chongqing, 400030, China
Da Sun
Institute of Life Sciences & Biomedical Collaborative Innovation Center of Zhejiang Province, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou, 325035, China; Corresponding author.
Yan Chen
The Quzhou Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Quzhou People's Hospital, Quzhou, 32400, China; Corresponding author.
Common tyrosinase (TYR) inhibitors used in cosmetics, such as hydroquinone, kojic acid, and arbutin, can cause side effects including erythema, skin peeling, and dryness. Therefore, the development of natural whitening agents that offer excellent permeability, minimal irritation, and high safety has become a primary focus in the field of TYR inhibitors. In this study, we demonstrate that White birch sap (WBS), within a safe concentration range, effectively reduces TYR activity and melanin content in both B16F10 mouse melanoma cells and zebrafish larvae. Importantly, WBS exhibits minimal irritation to neutrophils in fluorescent zebrafish and does not affect the behavior of adult zebrafish. Furthermore, WBS downregulates the gene expression levels of microphthalmia-associated transcription factor, TYR, tyrosinase-related protein-1, and tyrosinase-related protein-2 in B16F10 cells. In conclusion, our research confirms that WBS, a naturally derived substance, offers high safety and mild effects, making it a promising candidate for a skin-whitening agent.
