Melanin Biosynthesis Inhibitory Activity of Compounds Isolated from Unused Parts of <i>Ammi visinaga</i>

Abstract

Ten compounds have been isolated from the unused parts of Ammi visinaga . The isolated compounds were identified as tetracosanoic acid ( 1 ), β -sitosterol ( 2 ), visnadine ( 3 ), khellin ( 4 ), β -sitosterol glucoside ( 5 ), norkhellol ( 6 ), khellol ( 7 ), rhamnazin ( 8 ), cimifugin ( 9 ), and cis -khellactone-3 ’ - β -glucopyranoside ( 10 ). The chemical structures of these compounds were elucidated based on spectroscopic data (NMR, UV, MS and IR spectra). This is the first report on the identification of tetracosanoic acid ( 1 ), norkhellol ( 6 ) and cimifugin ( 9 ) in the Ammi genus. The melanin biosynthesis inhibitory activities of khellin ( 4 ), khellol ( 7 ), visnadine ( 3 ), cimifugin ( 9 ), β -sitosterol ( 2 ) and β -sitosterol glucoside ( 5 ) were evaluated. Khellin ( 4 ) exhibited a potent melanin inhibitory effect compared to arbutin with less toxicity.