Asian J Beauty Cosmetol. 2012; 10(4): 921-928.
Inhibitory effect of 4-hydroxy-2 (or 5)-ethyl-5 (or 2)-methyl-3 (2H)-furanone on Melanogenesis
ABSTRACT
The aim of this study was to investigate whitening effect of 4-hydroxy-2 (or 5)-ethyl-5 (or 2)-methyl-3 (2H)-
furanone (HEMF). The antioxidant activity of HEMF was evaluated using in vitro 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazy
(DPPH) free radical assay. Inhibitory effects of HEMF against tyrosinase activity and melanogenesis in B16
melanoma cells were assessed in vitro to determine whitening effect. HEMF showed strong radical scavenging
activity in DPPH assay. The SC50 (concentration that inhibits 50% of the DPPH radical) values of HEMF
was 1.5 mg/L. 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay with B16 melanoma
cells showed that HEMF was not toxic up to the concentration of 1000 mg/L. HEMF induced dose-dependent
inhibition of mushroom tyrosinase activity showing 71% inhibition at a concentration of 250 mg/L. Various
concentrations (2.5-50 mg/L) of HEMF also significantly inhibited tyrosinase activity in B16 melanoma cells
by 20-65 %. In addition, HEMF significantly reduced melanin contents of B16 melanoma cells by 52 % at a
concentration of 50 mg/L. These results suggest that HEMF could be an effective whitening agent.
Keywords :
4-hydroxy-2 (or 5)-ethyl-5 (or 2)-methyl-3 (2H)-furanone, Antioxidant effect, Melanogenesis, Tyrosinase inhibition, Whitening effect
