title: Studies of cuticle drugs from natural sources. IV. Inhibitory effects of some Arctostaphylos plants on melanin biosynthesis.
abstract: The inhibitory effect of 50% ethanol extracts obtained from the leaves of six Arctostaphylos plants (A. patula, A. viscida, A. canescens, A. columbiana, A. nevadensis and A. uva-ursi) (Ericaceae) was tested on melanin biosynthesis. Among them, the extracts of A. patula and A. viscida showed potent inhibition against tyrosinase. The two extracts not only inhibited the production of melanin from dopachrome by autoxidation, but exhibited SOD (superoxide dismutase)-like activity and had a moderate absorbance in the UV-B area. These results suggest that the leaves of Arctostaphylos plants, especially A. patula and A. viscida can be applied to a whitening agent for the skin.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kinki University, Osaka, Japan.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Matsuda
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Higashino
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Nakai
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Iinuma
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kubo
authors.forename: F A
authors.initials: FA
authors.lastname: Lang
mesh_terms: D000975:Antioxidants / Q000494:pharmacology; D001104:Arbutin / Q000032:analysis; D045563:Indolequinones; D007211:Indoles / Q000378:metabolism; D008543:Melanins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D014442:Monophenol Monooxygenase / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000032:analysis / Q000494:pharmacology; D010946:Plants, Medicinal / Q000737:chemistry*; D011809:Quinones / Q000378:metabolism; D013056:Spectrophotometry, Ultraviolet; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase / Q000494:pharmacology; D013634:Tannins / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D045563:Indolequinones; D007211:Indoles; D008543:Melanins; D010936:Plant Extracts; D011809:Quinones; D013634:Tannins; C001123:dopachrome; D001104:Arbutin; D014442:Monophenol Monooxygenase; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase