Inhibitory Effects of Ethanol Extract from Angelica tenuissima Root on Oxidative Stress and Melanogenesis

Angelica tenuissima, also known as Ligusticum tenuissimum, is classified as a food-related plant and has been used as traditional medicines treating headache and anemia in Asia. However, its anti-melanogenic effect has not been reported in detail. When the extract of Angelica tenuissima (ATE) was prepared by the extraction with 70% EtOH at $80^{\circ}C$ (final yield = 22%), the contents of decursin and Z-ligustilide in ATE were determined 0.06% and 8.43%, respectively. Total flavonoid and phenolic content in mg ATE were $5.52{\pm}0.07{\mu}g$ quercetin equivalents and $237.27{\pm}13.24{\mu}g$ gallic acid equivalents, respectively. Antioxidant capacity of ATE determined by DPPH and ABTS assay was increased with a dose dependent manner up to $1000{\mu}g/m{\ell}$. The amount of melanin synthesis followed by ${\alpha}-melanocyte$ stimulating hormone on B16F10 cells were significantly reduced in the presence of ATE (250 to $1000{\mu}g/m{\ell}$, p<0.05). ATE (125 to $1000{\mu}g/m{\ell}$, p<0.05) suppressed the tyrosinase activity but did not show any significant effect on ${\alpha}-glucosidase$ activity at the same condition. Taken together, ATE possesses tyrosinase inhibitory potential with significant antioxidant capacities. These effects of ATE might be involved in suppression of melanin synthesis, at least, in B16F10 cells. The anti-melanogenic potential of ATE will provide an insight into developing a new skin whitening product.