Inhibition of Melanogenesis from Thai Berries

Abstract

 Melanin is a pigment which produced from melanocyte cells. The process, called melanogenesis, is induced by UV light through the oxidation of L-tyrosine to L-dopa and dopachrome, to produce two types of melanin such eumelanin and pheomelanin. Tyrosinase, a copper-oxidoreductase, is a key enzyme in melanin biosynthesis. Overactivity of this enzyme leads to dermatological disorders such as age spots, melanoma and sites of actinic damage. Hence, tyrosinase inhibitor may reduce the activity of this enzyme and melanin production through many mechanism including binding copper at the active site of enzyme, inhibiting gene expression, accelerating skin turnover and inhibiting free radicals, causing cell damage and dull skin or uneven skin tone. Natural bioactive compound is used as whitening agent, extracted from medicinal plants including Thai berries such as mulberry, mamao, indian gooseberry, mayom. The active metabolites help to improve skin lightening, anti-aging and anti-melasma. They are also used in cosmetics and health products.