Depigmentation and inhibition of cell growth of B-16 melanoma cells by compounds isolated from Paeonia suffruticosa callus.

The anther segments of Paeonia suffruticosa Andrews were cultured for callus formation on MS medium supplemented with 2,4-D and BAP(each 1 mg/l) in the dark at 25°C for six weeks. Gallic acid, methyl gallate, ethyl gallate and 1,2,3,4,6-penta-O-galloyl-β-D-glucose were isolated from the ethanol extract of callus, and paeoniflorin was identified. A dose of 5 μg/ml pentagalloyl glucose resulted in depigmentation of B-16 melanoma cells without inhibition of cell propagation.