Juniperus chinensis and the functional compounds, cedrol and widdrol, ameliorate α-melanocyte stimulating hormone-induced melanin formation in B16F10 cells

Anti-melanogenic activities of Juniperus chinensis methanol extracts (JCM) and isolation of functional compounds were investigated. JCM possessed potent anti-oxidative and tyrosinase inhibitory activities. α-Melanocyte stimulating hormone (α-MSH)-induced melanogenesis and tyrosinase activity were inhibited by JCM in B16F10 cells. JCM also possessed potent scavenging activities against hydrogen peroxide induced reactive oxygen species (ROS). The dichloromethane (CH 2 Cl 2 ) solvent fraction only exhibited an anti-melanogenic activity with a potent ROS scavenging potential. The main compounds in the CH 2 Cl 2 fraction were cedrol (CR) and widdrol (WR), which inhibited melanogenesis both individually and synergistically. As the results, J. chinensis possesses potent anti-oxidative and anti-melanogenic activities due to active compounds, CR and WR. J. chinensis , CR, and WR provide promising new strategies for anti-oxidative and depigmenting resources.