Melanogenesis-Promoting Effects of Rhynchosia nulubilis and Rhynchosia volubilis Ethanol Extracts in Melan-a Cells

We evaluated the antioxidant activity and melanogenic effects of black soybean ethanol extracts, including Rhynchosia nulubilis bean ethanol extract (RNBEE), R. nulubilis leaf ethanol extract (RNLEE), R. volubilis bean ethanol extract (RVBEE), and R. volubilis leaf ethanol extract (RVLEE). The total polyphenol contents of RNBEE, RNLEE, RVBEE, and RVLEE were 16.0, 57.7, 365.9, and 260.1 mg/g, respectively. The total flavonoid contents of RNBEE, RNLEE, RVBEE, and RVLEE were 40.4, 91.7, 84.7, and 216.5 mg/g, respectively. The electron-donating abilities of RNBEE, RNLEE, RVBEE, and RVLEE at 1,000 μg/mL were 32.4%, 12.7%, 83.5%, and 84.5%, respectively. RNBEE, RNLEE, RVBEE, and RVLEE at 50 μg/mL significantly increased (p < 0.01) melanin contents by 30.4%, 32.1%, 35.5%, and 37.4%, respectively, compared to that of the control. RNBEE, RNLEE, RVBEE, and RVLEE at 50 μg/mL significantly increased (p < 0.01) intracellular tyrosinase activity by 18.4%, 21.8%, 21.5%, and 21.1%, respectively, compared to that of the control. These results demonstrated that black soybean ethanol extracts promote melanogenesis in melan-a cells. Among the black soybean ethanol extracts, R. volubilis was found to be more effective than R. nulubilis, and leaf extract was found to be more effective than bean extract. The potential mechanism underlying the hyperpigmentation effects of black soybeans is the promotion of tyrosinase activity.