Furocoumarin From Radix Angelica Dahurica And Synthetic Analogue As Potential Agent For Treatment Of Vitiligo

Background and Objective: Imperatorin, isolated from medicinal plant Radix Angelica dahurica, has the same furocoumarin nucleus with psoralen and 8-Methoxypsoralen. The purpose of this study was to investigate the melanocyte activity of imperatorin and its synthetic derivative. Methodology: The effects of imperatorin and its derivative on the activity of tyrosinase and the content of melanin were tested on A375 cells. The possibility of healing vitiligo in Guinea pigs was assessed by using Lillie iron staining, DOPA staining and ELISA assay. Results: Psoralen, 8-Methoxypsoralen, imperatorin and its derivative all increased cellular tyrosinase activity and the contents of melanin in a dose-dependent manner. These four compounds significantly increased the number of melanocyte mm(-2) compared with the model control group (p<0.01). The activity of tyrosinase in plasma and cholinesterase in serum were increased contrast to the model control (p<0.01). Conclusion: Imperatorin and its derivative can induce the production of melanocytes in vitiligo animal model, which could be helpful in treating vitiligo and clarifying structure-activity relationship.