Melanogenesis stimulation in murine B16 melanoma cells by Kava (Piper methysticum) rhizome extract and kavalactones.
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.
Matsuda
Hideaki
H
School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kinki University, Higashiosaka, Osaka, Japan. matsuda@phar.kindai.ac.jp
Hirata
Noriko
N
Kawaguchi
Yoshiko
Y
Naruto
Shunsuke
S
Takata
Takanobu
T
Oyama
Masayoshi
M
Iinuma
Munekazu
M
Kubo
Michinori
M
D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D020901:Kava / Q000737:chemistry*; D007783:Lactones / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D008543:Melanins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D008546:Melanoma, Experimental / Q000378:metabolism*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology
D007783:Lactones; D008543:Melanins; D010936:Plant Extracts