In other situations subjects may desire to reduce their natural skin colour or the skin darkening caused by exposure to GDC-0973 mouse intense sun rays. The complexion of the skin is determined by the pigment melanin. Melanocytes are the pigment producing cells that provide photo protection to the skin by synthesizing and distributing the pigment melanin to keratinocytes. These melanocytes are located in the basal layer of

keratinocytes. Melanocytes and keratinocytes are resident population of epidermis and the color of skin is only because of the melanin in keratinocytes which is transferred from melanocytes. Melanin is synthesized and packed in cytoplasmic organelles of melanocytes, called melanosomes and are later transferred to keratinocytes through specialized structures in the melanocytes called dendrites. Since melanocytes are the minor population in the epidermis, the presence of the multiple dendrites facilitates transfer of melanosomes to keratinocytes that surround melanocytes. Movement of the melanosomes along melanocyte dendrites is also necessary for the transfer of melanin

pigment from melanocytes to basal and suprabasal keratinocytes to maintain the normal skin color.1 Melanocyte dendrite formation is regulated selleck by multiple signaling pathways stimulated by paracrine factors released by keratinocytes.2 The most effective mode of transfer of the melanin to the keratinocytes is governed by the dendritic phenomena of the melanocytes. Abroagating the dendricity of the melanocytes is of great importance for controlling skin colour.3 There are several dendrite inhibitors either crude extracts or pure compounds already reported in the literature. These compounds are benzoquinone group moiety that includes centaureidin,3 methyl-ophiopogonanone B from Ophiopogon japonicus ker-Gawler, 4 and 1, 3-dioxolane derivative of methyl-ophiopogonanone B, 5 berberine derivative, 6 and betuligenol. 7 In our continuous

interest on the isolation of biologically active molecules from medicinal plants for personal care applications,8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 and 15 we have undertaken the chemical examination of the leaves of Artocarpus altilis Parkinson. The genus, Artocarpus is small to large evergreen trees, distributed from Sri Lanka, GBA3 India to south China and through Malaysia to the Solomon Islands. Nine species are recorded in India. The plant, A. altilis (syn. A. communis) is indigenous to Malaysia and commonly cultivated in South India. It is known as Breadfruit in English, Dephal in Bengali and Seema panasa in Telugu. The fruit is being used culinary preparations, as bread and pudding. The root is used as in controlling diarrhea and dysentery. The root bark is utilized in the treatment of fractures. The petiole is used for eye sores, irritation and itch. 16 The plant is rich source for pectin (5.7%) and also having good jelling properties.