비파(Eriobotrya japonica) 열매 추출물의 산화방지능과 미백 효과

The loquat (Eriobotrya japonica) is a fruit tree belonging to the Rosaceae family. Loquat fruit extracts from three cultivars (Tanaka, Mogi, and Jinwang) were prepared using absolute methanol and homogenization and ultrasound sonication procedures. We measured the total phenolic and flavonoid content of the fruit extracts and their antioxidant capacities. In addition, we evaluated tyrosinase activity and anti-melanogenic effects in B16F1 melanoma cells. The fruit extract from cv. Tanaka had the highest total phenolic content and showed the highest antioxidant capacity in the ABTS assay. The loquat fruit extract from cv. Jinwang had the highest total flavonoid content and showed the highest antioxidant capacity in the DPPH assay. Loquat fruit extracts from the Tanaka and Jinwang cultivars effectively inhibited mushroom tyrosinase activity. The loquat fruit extracts reduced intracellular oxidative stress in B16F1 melanoma cells. Treating B16F1 melanoma cells with loquat fruit extract from cv. Tanaka at a concentration of 125 µg/mL effectively inhibited melanin synthesis. However, treating the B16F1 melanoma cells with loquat fruit extracts from the Jinwang and Mogi cultivars did not. These results suggest that loquat fruit extracts from the Tanaka cultivar may serve as potential sources of antioxidants and act as a skin-whitening agent.