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. alpha-Melanocyte stimulating hormone (alpha-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 (CH2Cl2) solvent fraction only exhibited an anti-melanogenic activity with a potent ROS scavenging potential. The main compounds in the CH2Cl2 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.