Terminalia chebula reduces melanoma cell proliferation and increases apoptosis by inhibiting tyrosinase

Recently, research on using plant-derived drugs as anticancer agents has been greatly developed. Terminalia IP: 49.249.253.194 On: Mon, 22 Nov 2021 08:00:11 chebula (T. chebula) Retz., the mature fruit ofT. chebula, contains active ingredients that have antioxidant, Copyright: American Scientific Publishers Delivered by Ingenta antimicrobial, and antitumor effects. Because traditional Chinese medicine components have unstable physical and chemical properties, such as poor solubility, fast decomposition, and high irritation, drug nanocarriers that effectively increase their solubility and reduce irritation are desirable. Additionally, T. chebula fruit can inhibit tyrosinase activity. This study aimed to determine whether T. chebula nanostructured lipid carriers can regulate the proliferation and apoptosis of melanoma cells by inhibiting tyrosinase activity. Tyrosinase activity in drug-treated melanoma cells was detected by MTT and DOPA oxidation assays, and cell proliferation rate was observed. Western blot (MTT) was used to detect the activity of apoptotic factors, and flow cytometry was used to determine the apoptotic rate. The results showed that tyrosinase activity and cell proliferation rate decreased with increasing drug concentration in cultured cells. Furthermore, the inhibitory effect was concentration-dependent. Additionally, cells cultured with a high concentration of T. chebula nanostructured lipid carriers could activate apoptotic factors and increase cell apoptosis. Thus, this study showed that T. chebula fruit nanostructured lipid carriers could inhibit the proliferation of melanoma cells and increase apoptosis by inhibiting tyrosinase activity, demonstrating a new plant-derived drug for melanoma treatment.