Skin-Whitening and Antiwrinkle Proprieties of Maackia amurensis Methanolic Extract Lead Compounds

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

1. the title can be improved: we suggest "skin-whitening and antiwrinkle proprieties of Maackia amurensis methanolic extract lead compounds" 2. please detail the extraction method used to obtain the methanolic extract from the branches
3. Put the chemical structures of the purified molecules
4. add the references of the methods used for the biological evaluations
5. Enlarge the Chromatogram (HPLC)
6. develop the conclusion even further (link the chemical composition and biological activity, and show the interest of your results in the cosmetic industry)

Comments for author File: Comments.pdf

Author Response

Please see the attachment

Author Response File: Author Response.docx

Reviewer 2 Report

Regarding to manuscript entitled "Skin-whitening and antiwrinkle effects of Maackia amurensis branch extract and their main chemical constituents" I have some comments, and questions to improve its quality. Although it has been written well, in my opinion it could be complete if bioactivities of the isolated compounds were also analysed.

 

Abstract

L20: please add inhibition values against α-MSH-induced melanin synthesis

 

Introduction

L64: please mention "flavonoids and alkaloids" names previously identified from this plant

 

Methods

L169: which extraction method has been used? and please describe the rationale for applying MeOH as solvent, why e.g. EtOH not?

L175: please describe in the text the reason for subjecting the sub-fraction e.g. E5, etc. on the other hand why the other fractions were not separated

L188: with proof please discuss why you have selected these compounds as references.

 

Results

L345: please mention the chemical classes of the isolated compounds after first mentioning; although at the end has been mentioned

L389-391: the most important approach of the study could be characterization of the major bioactive compound(s) responsible for the evaluated bioassay, why you have not analysed activity of pure compounds? in my opinion the study is incomplete

 

Conclusion

please add perspective statement to this section for conducting further similar investigations

 

 

 

 

 

Author Response

Please see the attachment

Author Response File: Author Response.docx

Round 2

Reviewer 1 Report

I accept this article in the new version

Reviewer 2 Report

Unfortunately authors have not attached the revised version of manuscript, I can not see any change in the present file.

Round 3

Reviewer 2 Report

Authors have addressed the requested revisions, I would endorse the present form for further publication steps.

This manuscript is a resubmission of an earlier submission. The following is a list of the peer review reports and author responses from that submission.

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

In this manuscript, the authors have described the results of evaluation of the skin-whitening and anti-wrinkle effects of M. amurensis branch extract (the stem bark of this plant has been used as a folk remedy for hyperthyroidism, cancer, cholecystitis, and arthritis). To the best of my knowledge, I believe the manuscript is of very good quality and needs no major changes, since it is well structured, clear, and well organized, conceptually and methodologically.

Here are my comments:

1. Please introduce the abbreviations like TYR, DMEM, and SPSS before using them.
2. Provide an explanation for the selection of albumin, and Epigallocatechin gallate as positive control. (Couple of sentences should suffice.
3. Please mention the names and chemical structures of key chemical ingredients in M. amurensis Branch Extract, Capsella bursa-pastoris and Perilla frutescens var. crispa extracts.

Given the novelty, and interest in the scientific community I recommend the editors to accept this manuscript for publication in Processes.

Congratulations.

Reviewer 2 Report

This work evaluated the skin-whitening and anti-wrinkle effects of Maackia amurensis (M. amurensis) branch extract. M. amurensis branch extract inhibited α-MSH-induced melanin synthesis and reduced the expression of microphthalmia-associated transcription factor, tyrosinase-related protein (TRP)-1, TRP-2, and tyrosinase in B16F1 cells. M. amurensis branch extracts decreased UVA-induced MMP-1 expression in CCD-986Sk cells.

 

1. There were more than 20 components existed in a plant, however, the active components in this plant used in this study were unclear. The active components of this plants must identify and the effects of these components must detect in this study.
2. Why different methods of the cell viability test were used in B16F1 and CCD-986Sk cells? The concentrations displayed in Figure 1 were from low to high concentration, however, from high to low concentration in Figure 4. It was confused.
3. The cell viability of B16F1 and CCD-986Sk cells. was reduced after lower concentration Maackia amurensis (M. amurensis) branch extract treatment. The results must explain in the manuscript.
4. This study was a preliminary study, the effects of Maackia amurensis (M. amurensis) branch extract on anti-melanin synthesis and inhibition of MMP-1 expression was detected. However, the mechanism was unclear.
5. The title of this study was “Skin-Whitening and Anti-Wrinkle Effects of Maackia amurensis Branch Extract”, however, only MMP-1 expression was detected. The expression of MMP-1 was not only the factor affected wrinkle formation.
6. There were some type and grammar errors. The manuscript must revise carefully.