6-Isoprenylindole-3-carboxylic Acid with an Anti-Melanogenic Activity from a Marine-Derived Streptomyces sp. APA-053

In this study, we report the isolation of the known compound 6-isoprenylindole-3-carboxylic acid (SJ196), a prenylated indole derivative, from a marine Streptomyces sp., APA053, and its potent anti-melanogenic activity. SJ196 showed ABTS and DPPH radical scavenging activities and cellular antioxidant activities, significantly suppressing cytoplasmic and mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) in B16F10 murine melanoma cells. Furthermore, SJ196 reduced both intracellular and extracellular melanin content without cytotoxicity. These effects coincided with suppression of intracellular signal transduction for melanogenesis, significantly reducing phosphorylation of ERK, JNK, and p38 MAPK, and attenuating the expression of MITF and melanogenic enzymes (TYR, TRP-1, and TRP-2). Importantly, in a three-dimensional human skin model (MelanoDerm™), SJ196 exhibited a skin-lightening effect, as evidenced by dose-dependent increases in skin brightness and histological confirmation. Collectively, we demonstrated that SJ196 is a potent anti-melanogenic marine compound that acts through antioxidant activity and MAPK-MITF pathway suppression, suggesting its therapeutic potential for the treatment of age-related hyperpigmentation disorders.