Melanogenesis Stimulation in Murine B16 Melanoma Cells by Kava (Piper methysticum) Rhizome Extract and Kavalactones
Year: 2006
Type: article
Abstract: Melanogenesis stimulation activity of aqueous ethanolic extracts obtained from several different parts of five Piper species, namely Piper longum, P. kadsura, P. methysticum, P. betle, and P. cubeba, were examined by using cultured murine B16 melanoma cells. Among them, the extract of P. methysticum rhizome (Kava) showed potent stimulatory effect on melanogenesis as well as P. nigrum leaf extract. Activity-guided fractionation of Kava extract led to the isolation of two active kavalactones, yangonin (2) and 7,8-epoxyyangonin (5), along with three inactive kavalactones, 5,6-dehydrokawain (1), (+)-kawain (3) and (+)-methysticin (4), and a glucosylsterol, daucosterin (6). 7,8-Epoxyyangonin (5) showed a significant stimulatory effect on melanogenesis in B16 melanoma cells. Yangonin (2) exhibited a weak melanogenesis stimulation activity.
DOI: 10.1248/bpb.29.834
Institutions: Kindai University, Gifu Pharmaceutical University
Language: English
Subfield: Pharmacology
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: bronze
OpenAlex ID: W2015326887