Suppression of the melanogenesis of mouse melanoma B 16 cells by sweet potato extract

Abstract

The extract from steamed sweet potato was found to suppress the melanogenesis of mouse melanoma B 16 cells. The compounds showing the suppression of the melanogenesis in the extract of sweet potato were separated by Toyopearl® HW 40 C column chromatography and HPLC. Steamed sweet potato contained chlorogenic acid and three kinds of isochlorogenic acids as the main phenolic constituents. These four phenolic compounds suppressed the melanogenesis equally. The melanogenesis suppressing ratio of the phenolics corresponded to 98% of total suppressing activity of the extract from steamed sweet potato.