Inhibition of Tyrosinase and Melanogenesis by a White Mulberry Fruit Extract
5
Issued Date
2025-08-01
Resource Type
ISSN
16616596
eISSN
14220067
Scopus ID
2-s2.0-105013323410
Journal Title
International Journal of Molecular Sciences
Volume
26
Issue
15
Rights Holder(s)
SCOPUS
Bibliographic Citation
International Journal of Molecular Sciences Vol.26 No.15 (2025)
Suggested Citation
Prasawang N., Sutjarit N., Sitthipunya A., Suwannalert P., Monsuwan W., Charoenchon N. Inhibition of Tyrosinase and Melanogenesis by a White Mulberry Fruit Extract. International Journal of Molecular Sciences Vol.26 No.15 (2025). doi:10.3390/ijms26157589 Retrieved from: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/123456789/111779
Title
Inhibition of Tyrosinase and Melanogenesis by a White Mulberry Fruit Extract
Corresponding Author(s)
Other Contributor(s)
Abstract
Ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation is a key factor in the overproduction of melanin in the skin. Melanocytes produce melanin through melanogenesis to protect the skin from UVB radiation-induced damage. However, excessive melanogenesis can lead to hyperpigmentation and increase the risk of malignant melanoma. Tyrosinase is the rate-limiting enzyme in melanogenesis; it catalyzes the oxidation of tyrosine to 3,4-dihydroxy-L-phenylalanine and subsequently to dopaquinone. Thus, inhibiting tyrosinase is a promising strategy for preventing melanogenesis and skin hyperpigmentation. White mulberry (Morus alba L.) is rich in antioxidants, and mulberry fruit extracts have been used as cosmetic skin-lightening agents. However, data on the capacity of mulberry fruit extracts to inhibit tyrosinase under UVB radiation-induced melanogenic conditions remain scarce, especially in an in vivo model. In this study, we evaluated the effects of a mulberry crude extract (MCE) on UVB radiation-induced melanogenesis in B16F10 melanoma cells and zebrafish embryos. The MCE significantly reduced tyrosinase activity and melanogenesis in a dose-dependent manner without inducing cytotoxicity. These effects are likely attributable to the antioxidant constituents of the extract. Our findings highlight the potential of this MCE as an effective tyrosinase inhibitor for the prevention of UVB radiation-induced skin hyperpigmentation.