The effects of areca catechu L extract on anti-inflammation and anti-melanogenesis.

Ethanolic extract (CC-516) from Areca catechu L was prepared and its various biological activities were evaluated, CC-516 showed potent anti-oxidative, free radical scavenging, and anti-hyaluronidase activity. Anti-oxidative effect of CC-516 (IC _ 50: 45.4 mug/ml) was lower than butylated hydroxytoluene (IC _ 50: 5mug ml), but similar to tocopherol and higher than ascorbic acid. Especially, CC-516 exhibited relatively high free radical scavenging activity (IC _ 50: 10.2 mug/ml) compared to control. CC-516 inhibited effectively hyaluronidase activity (IC _ 50: 416 mug/ml), showed inhibition in vivo on delayed hypersensitivity as well as croton-oil induced ear edema in mice when it was topically applied. These results strongly suggest that CC-516 may reduce immunoregulatory/inflammatory skin trouble. Also, from the results, we have elucidated that CC-516 showed anti-allergic and anti-cytotoxicity activity. The whitening effect of CC-516 shown by the inhibition of mushroom tyrosinase activity with IC _ 50 of 0.48 mg/ml and of melanin synthesis in B16 melanoma cells. This study indicates that CC-516 is effective on anti-inflammatory/anti-melanogenesis, and can be used as a new agent for cosmetics.