• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.33 no.4 s.131
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• pp.399-403
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• 2002

Three melanogenesis inhibitors were isolated from the roots and rhizomes of Veratrum nigrum L. and were identified as (3S,20S,25S)-22,26-iminocholesta-5,22(N)-dien-3-ol (verazine), (3S,2OR,25S)-22,26-iminocholesta-5,22(N)-dien-3-ol (epi-verazine) and (3R,23R)-14,15,16,17- tetradehydroveratraman-3,23-diol (veratramine) on the basis of their spectroscopic data. It was turned out that these compounds did not directly inhibit tyrosinase activity, the key enzyme responsible for the formation of melanin pigment while these compounds showed strong inhibition on the melanogenesis in B16 F1 mouse melanoma $(IC_{50}<1\;{\mu}g/ml)$. Due to the strong inhibitory activity and safety compared to current whitening agents such as arbutin, kojic acid and AHA, the compound can be a good candidate for new skin whitening agents.