Inhibitors of Melanogenesis from the Roots of Peucedanum praeruptorum

A chemical investigation of Peucedanum praeruptorum has resulted in the isolation of 3 khellactone derivatives, which have inhibitory effects on melanogenesis in B16 mouse melanoma cell lines. The khellactone derivatives were isolated from the crude extract of the roots of Pecedanum praeruptorum by a combination of adsorption chromatography and HPLC. The structures of isolated compounds were identified as 3', 4'-diangeloyl-cis-khellactone, 3'-angeloyl-4'-senecioyl-cis-khellactone and, 3', 4'-disenecioyl-cis-khellactone by $^1$H NMR, $^{13}$ C NMR and mass spectral studies and by comparisons of spectral data with reported literatures. These khellactone derivatives can be a good candidate for new skin whitening agent due to its strong inhibitory activity and safety.