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Updated: Feb 19, 2026

Pharmacologic Induction of Epidermal Melanin and Protection Against Sunburn in a Humanized Mouse Model
Published on: September 7, 2013
Indomethacin inhibits melanogenesis via down-regulation of Mitf mRNA transcription
Kazuomi Sato1,2, Masahiro Takei1, Ray Iyota1
1a Department of Agri-Production Sciences, College of Agriculture , Tamagawa University , Machida, Tokyo , Japan.
Abstract:
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) exhibit several divergent biological effects. In this study, we investigated the effect of indomethacin on melanin synthesis using B16F1 melanoma cells. Indomethacin inhibited α-melanocyte stimulating hormone (α-MSH)-enhanced melanin synthesis in a dose-dependent manner. Western blotting analysis revealed that indomethacin significantly suppressed tyrosinase and Mitf protein levels. In a luciferase reporter assay, we found that indomethacin reduced tyrosinase promoter activity. Moreover, real-time RT-PCR analysis showed that indomethacin lowered mRNA levels of melanogenic genes, including Mitf. Together, our findings indicate that indomethacin inhibits melanogenesis via the suppression of Mitf transcription.
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