4-Hydroxy-2(or 5)-ethyl-5(or 2)-methyl-3(2H)-furanone의 미백 활성 효과

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 ㎎ /L. 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 ㎎/L. Various concentrations (2.5-50 ㎎/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 ㎎/L. These results suggest that HEMF could be an effective whitening agent.