Abstract
To develope new natural substances for whitening agent, Baeckji(Angelica dahuria;BK), Seasin(Asarum sieboldii;SS). Baecjgangjam(Bombycis corpus;BGJ) and Mynkanbang(MKB) were selected and extracted by hot water and 70% EtOH, respectively. Hydrothermal and ethanolic extracts of BK, SS, BGJ and MKB were evaluated for anti-oxidative effect, tyrosinase activity, melanogenesis of B16 melanoma cells and changes in level of tyrosinase expression by using Western blotting. All hydrothermal and ethanolic extracts showed scavenging activities of free radicals against 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl(DPPH) but no inhibitory effect on tyrosinase activity. Ethanolic extracts of BK, SS, and BGJ and especially highly, those of MKB inhibited production of melanin in B16 melanoma cells and were able to reduce the level of tyrosinase expression in B16 melanoma cells. These results suggest that ethanolic extracts of BK, SS, BGJ and MKB can be an effective whitening agent from natural plant.