Biological screening of 100 plant extracts for cosmetic use (I): inhibitory activities of tyrosinase and DOPA auto-oxidation.

The aim of this study was to evaluate several plant extracts with a view to developing melanogenesis inhibitors. In this study, 100 plant extracts were screened to elucidate their whitening effects using in vitro inhibition of tyrosinase and DOPA auto-oxidation activity. Several plant extracts such as Chaenomeles speciosa, Dryopteris crassirhizoma, Gastrodia ellata, Glycyrrhiza glabra, Morus alba, Myristica fragrans, Rheum palmatum and Sophora japonica showed inhibition of mushroom tyrosinase activity. Plant extracts including Bupleurum falcatum, Caragana sinica, Morus alba and Tussilago farfara showed inhibition of DOPA auto-oxidation activity.