Oxyresveratrol from artocarpus lakoocha Roxb. inhibit melanogenesis in B16 melanoma cells through the role of cellular oxidants

Overproduction of melanin pigment is well recognized in hyperpigmentation disorders and melanoma progression. In this study, we investigated the anti-oxidant activity of oxyresveratrol from Artocarpus lakoocha Roxb. The effects of oxyresveratrol on melanogenesis, tyrosinase activity, and cellular oxidants in B16 cells were also obtained. Toxic doses of oxyresveratrol were confirmed by using an in vitro micronucleus method in V79 cells. Oxyresveratrol had a potent anti-oxidant activity. It also showed a statistical significance in the inhibition of melanogenesis, tyrosinase activity, and cellular oxidants in B16 cells at 10 and 12.5 μg/ml. These effective doses had no toxicity in V79 cells. Oxyresveratrol had a potent inhibition of melanogenesis in B16 cells through the role of cellular oxidants relating to tyrosinase activity. Effective doses of this agent may be used to control hyperpigmentation disorders and to be applied in chemopreventive drugs for melanoma.