DEPIGMENTING EFFECT OF Sophora japonica L. IN B16F10 MELANOMA CELLS

Abstract

Sophora japonica L. has been used as a tranditional medicine to treat various diseases such as inflammation, allergy and diabetic. However, the effect of this plant on the melanin inhibitory effect is not well-studied in Vietnam. In this study, the melanin inhibitory and antioxidant effect of Sophora japonica L. used in cosmetics was investigated. The results showed that Sophora japonica L. exhibited low cytotoxicity at even high concentration (200 mg/mL). The effects on melanogenesis of cultured B16 melanoma cells, mushroom tyrosinase activity, and free radical scavenging activity were further assessed. The methanol extracts of this plant showed the suppression of melanin synthesis. At the concentration of 200 μg/mL, the methanol extract of this plant could inhibit 34.9% of melanin content in B16F10 melanoma cells. It also showed good anti-oxidative activity (IC₅₀ = 185.2 mg/mL) and inhibited cellular tyrosinase activity. In conclusion, Sophora japonica L. extract might be useful and safe as a new whitening agent in cosmetics.

Keywords: Melanin, tyrosianse, antioxidant, Sophora japonica L., cosmetics