Triterpenoids from Fragaria ananassa calyx and their inhibitory effects on melanogenesis in B16-F10 mouse melanoma cells

Abstract

Column chromatographic technology was applied to isolate six purified ursane triterpenoids from the calyx of Fragaria ananassa and they were identified on the basis of spectroscopic methods to be ursolic acid (1), pomolic acid (2), 2-oxo-pomolic acid (3), 3-O-acetyl pomolic acid (4), fupenzic acid (5) and euscaphic acid (6). This is the first study in which these compounds have been isolated from the calyx of F. ananassa. Compared to a well-known inhibitor, α-arbutin, compounds 2–6 showed a significant decrease in intracellular melanin content in B16-F10 cells, and in culture media melanin.

Keywords::

• Fragaria ananassa calyx
• melanogenesis inhibition
• ursane triterpenoid

Acknowledgements

This work was supported by Business for Cooperative R&D between Industry, Academy and Research Institute funded Korea Small and Medium Business Administration in 2011 (00046241) and the Next Generation Bio-Green 21 (PJ008020) Project from Rural Development Administration, Republic of Korea.