Effect and mechanism of action of resveratrol: a novel melanolytic compound from the peanut skin of Arachis hypogaea

Abstract

Purpose: The present work was carried out to determine the effects of ethanolic extracts of Arachis hypogaea and its active ingredient resveratrol on the isolated tail melanophores of the Bufo melanostictus to find the mechanism of skin lightening at the cellular level.

Methods: The tail melanophores of the tadpole B. melanostictus were assayed using the mean melanophore size index and their responses were recorded in presence of various concentrations of the plant extract and its active ingredient along with specific antagonists and potentiator.

Results: Significant skin lightening activity of the extract of A. hypogaea and its active ingredient resveratrol was observed on the tail melanophores of tadpole. The pigment cells responded by distinct aggregation leading to skin lightening, this effect was reversible, as re-immersion in physiological saline made the melanophores return to their normal intermediate state. These melanin aggregating effects were completely blocked by propanolol (beta blocker) and partially blocked by prazosin (alpha blocker) and were also found to be highly potentiated by reserpine.

Conclusion: These studies suggest that the active ingredient of A. hypogaea such as resveratrol can act as a sympathomimetic compound and induce aggregation of melanophores of tadpole B. melanostictus via the induction of beta type of the adrenoceptors. The present study opens new vistas for the use of A. hypogaea and its active ingredient, resveratrol for its clinical application as a nontoxic melanolytic compound for the treatment of hyperpigmentation.

Keywords::

• Arachis hypogaea extract
• melanolytic compound
• resveratrol
• adrenoceptors
• skin lightening

Acknowledgments

Sharique A. Ali acknowledges M.P. Biotechnology Council Government of M.P. Bhopal, India for a research grant, Project No. 88/p-5/2010. The authors are grateful to Principal and Secretary, Saifia College of Science and Education, Bhopal, affiliated to Barkatullah University, Bhopal, for providing necessary facilities and encouragement.

Declaration of interest

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.