Antioxidant Activity and Melanin Inhibitory Effects of Yambean (Pachyrhizus erosus) Extract

Objectives : Yam bean (Pachyrhizus erosus) possess various nutrients, it has been widely used as traditional cosmetic material in Indonesia. The aim of this study was to investigate the anti-oxidant activity and the anti-melanogenic effect of Yambean (Pachyrhizus erosus) extract and its fractions. Methods : The anti-oxidant activity of yam bean extract assessed based on total polyphenol, flavonoid contents, DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging assay. To evaluate anti-melanogenic effects and cytotoxicity of Yambean extract and its fractions, B16F10 melanoma cell was used. Results : In results, total polyphenol content of yam bean water extract (YW) and Yambean 70% ethanol extract (YE) were 1.18±0.03 mg/g (mg of gallic acid/g of sample), 1.16±0.01 mg/g. Total flavonoid contents of YW, YE were 3.55±0.06 mg/g (mg of naringin/g of sample), 1.78±0.03 mg/g. Moreover, YE scavenged DPPH and ABTS effectively in 4 mg/ml compared to YW. Cytotoxicity of YE and its fractions in B16F10 melanoma cell was measured using MTT assays. It had no cytotoxicity up to 500 μg/ml. Melanin accumulation in B16F10 melanoma cell was induced using alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone (α-MSH) and 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine (IBMX). B16F10 melanoma cell treated with 10-500 μg/ml YE and hexane, ethyl acetate, butanol, H2O fractions for 24h. Non treated B16F10 melanoma cell (Control) markedly increased melanin contents. In contrast, YE ethylacetate fraction effectively suppressed melanin accumulation in a dose-dependent manner. Conclusion : In conclusion, these results suggest that Yambean extract has the potential as a cosmetic material which possess anti-oxidant and anti-melanogenic activities.