The effects of some natural products on mouse melanoma cells in vitro

To indentify inhibitors of melanogenesis. we compared the effect of some natural products on mushroom tyrosinase. human melanocytic tyrosinase activity and melanin content. The cytotoxicity of the component were also tested on cultured mouse melanoma cells, Each extract significantly inhibited tyrosinase activity and melanin synthesis in vitro and B 16 melanoma cell lines. In B 16 cell lines, watermelon's inner shell extract inhibited tyrosinase activity as strong as kojic acid at 150${\um}g$/${\mu}\ell$ concentration. And morning glory'seed extract inhibited melanin synthesis more than kojic acid at 150${\um}g$/${\mu}\ell$ concentration. Each extract were strong inhibitors of tyrosinase activity and total melanin synthesis in B 16 mouse melanoma cell lines at less than 100${\um}g$/${\mu}\ell$ concetration. These result show that extract of watermelon's inner shell. lettuce. morning glory's seed and licorice root could be developed as skin whitening component of cosmetics.