AIM OF THE STUDY: To investigate the efficacy of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in the treatment of hyperpigmentation problems, extracts of herbs selected based on traditional Chinese medical literature were screened. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty extracts were extracted from 10 selected herbs using hexane, dichloromethane, methanol and water. They were then screened using melan-a cells, an immortalized non-tumorigenic mouse melanocyte cell line. Sulphorhodamine B (SRB) assay and measurement of melanin production were performed to examine the effects of the extracts as well as some natural compounds from these herbs on melanogenesis in the melan-a cells. RESULTS: The hexane and dichloromethane extracts of Angelica sinensis exhibited strong hypopigmentary effects. CONCLUSIONS: Natural compounds occurring in this herb were also investigated. Among them 4-ethylresorcinol, 4-ethylphenol and 1-tetradecanol demonstrated positive effects in attenuating melanin synthesis in the cultured cells.
AIM OF THE STUDY: To investigate the efficacy of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in the treatment of hyperpigmentation problems, extracts of herbs selected based on traditional Chinese medical literature were screened. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty extracts were extracted from 10 selected herbs using hexane, dichloromethane, methanol and water. They were then screened using melan-a cells, an immortalized non-tumorigenic mouse melanocyte cell line. Sulphorhodamine B (SRB) assay and measurement of melanin production were performed to examine the effects of the extracts as well as some natural compounds from these herbs on melanogenesis in the melan-a cells. RESULTS: The hexane and dichloromethane extracts of Angelica sinensis exhibited strong hypopigmentary effects. CONCLUSIONS: Natural compounds occurring in this herb were also investigated. Among them 4-ethylresorcinol, 4-ethylphenol and 1-tetradecanol demonstrated positive effects in attenuating melanin synthesis in the cultured cells.