Sains Malaysiana 55(8)(2026): 1382-1392

http://doi.org/10.17576/jsm-2026-5508-13

 

In vitro Anti-Melanogenic Potential and Preliminary Human Skin Biophysical Evaluation of Schizophyllum commune Water Extracts

(Potensi Anti-Melanogenik Secara in vitro dan Penilaian Awal Biofizik Kulit Manusia pada Ekstrak Air Schizophyllum commune)

 

NADIMA MOHAMAD¹, ROSNANI BINTI HASHAM², ANISAH JAMALUDDIN³, DANG LELAMURNI ABD RAZAK³ & NURUL YUZIANA MOHD YUSOF^1,*

 

¹Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 UKM Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia

²Institute of Bioproduct Development, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, 81310 Skudai,

Johor, Malaysia

³Food Science and Technology Research Centre, Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (MARDI), Persiaran MARDI-UPM, 43400 Serdang,

Selangor, Malaysia

 

Received: 30 May 2026/Accepted: 17 August 2026

 

Abstract

This study evaluated the in vitro cytocompatibility and anti-melanogenic potential of Schizophyllum commune (cendawan kukur) extracts prepared at two temperatures, 4 °C (K4C) and 30 °C (K30C), followed by a human skin biophysical assessment of S. commune-based topical formulations. Cytotoxicity was assessed using MTT assays in CRL-2691 human dermal fibroblasts and MNT-1 human melanoma cells. Anti-melanogenic activity was evaluated in MNT-1 cells by measuring melanin content, tyrosinase (TYR) transcript abundance, and intracellular tyrosinase activity. Both extracts maintained high cell viability across the tested concentration range. K30C showed a more consistent response, with modest reductions in melanin content and TYR transcript abundance at 50 and 100 μg/mL, but did not significantly reduce intracellular tyrosinase activity, while K4C showed a less consistent response. A supportive human skin biophysical evaluation was subsequently conducted using topical creams containing the S. commune extract prepared at 30 °C. Fifteen participants used the formulations for 12 weeks. The exploratory evaluation indicated reductions in melanin and erythema indices. Overall, the in vitro findings and preliminary human skin observations support further investigation of S. commune-derived ingredients as potential natural cosmeceutical candidates.

Keywords: Anti-melanogenic activity; human skin assessment; in vitro assay; mushroom extract; Schizophyllum commune

 

AbstraK

Kajian ini menilai keserasian sel secara in vitro dan potensi anti-melanogenik ekstrak Schizophyllum commune (cendawan kukur) yang diekstrak pada dua suhu, iaitu 4 °C (K4C) dan 30 °C (K30C), diikuti dengan penilaian biofizik kulit manusia terhadap formulasi topikal berasaskan S. commune. Kesitotoksikan dinilai menggunakan ujian MTT dalam sel fibroblas dermal manusia CRL-2691 dan sel melanoma manusia MNT-1. Aktiviti anti-melanogenik dinilai dalam sel MNT-1 melalui pengukuran kandungan melanin, kelimpahan transkrip tirosinase (TYR) dan aktiviti tirosinase intrasel. Kedua-dua ekstrak mengekalkan keviabelan sel yang tinggi dalam julat kepekatan yang diuji. K30C menunjukkan tindak balas yang lebih tekal dengan pengurangan sederhana dalam kandungan melanin dan kelimpahan transkrip TYR pada 50 dan 100 μg/mL, tetapi tidak mengurangkan aktiviti tirosinase intrasel dengan ketara, manakala K4C menunjukkan tindak balas yang kurang tekal. Seterusnya, penilaian biofizik kulit manusia secara sokongan dijalankan menggunakan krim topikal yang mengandungi ekstrak S. commune yang disediakan pada 30 °C. Lima belas peserta menggunakan formulasi tersebut selama 12 minggu. Penilaian eksploratori menunjukkan pengurangan indeks melanin dan eritema. Secara keseluruhan, keputusan in vitro dan pemerhatian awal pada kulit manusia menyokong kajian lanjut terhadap bahan terbitan S. commune sebagai calon kosmeseutikal semula jadi.

Kata kunci: Aktiviti anti-melanogenik; ekstrak cendawan; penilaian kulit manusia; Schizophyllum commune; ujian in vitro

 

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*Corresponding author; email: yuziana@ukm.edu.my