Anti-melanin deposition activity and active constituents of Jatropha multifida stems

AbstractJatropha multifida is a medicinal plant that belongs to the Euphorbiaceae family. Our investigation revealed that the chloroform extract ofJ. multifida stems showed anti-melanin deposition activity against α-melanocyte stimulating hormone (α-MSH)- and 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine (IBMX)-induced melanogenesis in the mouse melanoma cell line (B16-F10). Further fractionation and purification of the major constituents led to the isolation of two coumarins (1 and2) and seven known lignoids (3 –9). All isolated compounds exhibited anti-melanin deposition activities against the mouse melanoma cell line (B16-F10) with IC50 values ranging from 37.5 to 560.1  µM, without any cytotoxicity even at high concentrations, except for8. Further mechanistic studies suggested that9 downregulated tyrosinase mRNA expression, while the anti-melanin deposition activities of4 and8 appeared to be unrelated to tyrosinase inhibition and the downregulated expression of the key melanogenesis-associated mRNAs. These results suggested thatJ.multifida could possess potent skin whitening ingredients.
Source: Journal of Natural Medicines - Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Source Type: research