Effect of Buddleja officinalis MAXIM. on Melanin Biosynthesis and Anti-Oxidative Activity

Melanin synthesis is related to the presence of tyrosinase. Therefore, tyrosinase inhibitors are useful skin-whitening agent. In this study Buddleia officinalis (B.O.) extract was used for searching the anti-oxidative and skin whitening effects. As a result, B.O. extracts showed over 50% of free radical scavenging activity on DPPH at a concentration of 100 μg/mL compare to control. B.O. extracts showed 44% inhibitory effect on tyrosinase activity in the mushroom tyrosinase of 100 μg/mL. And EA fraction inhibited more than 70% of tyrosinase activity at the same concentration. Also, B.O. extracts showed effectiveness in inhibiting L-DOPA auto-oxidation. Melanin biosynthesis was estimated from B16 mouse melanoma cell, which treated with 10 nM of α-MSH and with or without B.O. extracts. B.O. extracts inhibited (¤40%) melanin synthesis at 100 μg/mL, but it did not affect on cell viability. This indicated B.O. extracts inhibited tyrosinase activity and melanin biosynthesis.