Triterpenoids from Fragaria ananassa calyx and their inhibitory effects on melanogenesis in B16-F10 mouse melanoma cells.

Column chromatographic technology was applied to isolate six purified ursane triterpenoids from the calyx of Fragaria ananassa and they were identified on the basis of spectroscopic methods to be ursolic acid (1), pomolic acid (2), 2-oxo-pomolic acid (3), 3-O-acetyl pomolic acid (4), fupenzic acid (5) and euscaphic acid (6). This is the first study in which these compounds have been isolated from the calyx of F. ananassa. Compared to a well-known inhibitor, α-arbutin, compounds 2–6 showed a significant decrease in intracellular melanin content in B16-F10 cells, and in culture media melanin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]