Brazilin as a new sunless tanning agent

To develop an active material for skin darkening, we examined the effect of 300 plants on tyrosinase activity and found only Caesalpinia sappan has an ability to increase tyrosinase activity highly and melanin contents in B-16 melanoma cells. A compound increasing tyrosinase activity and melanin production was isolated from Caesalpinia sappan Lignum. Brazilin was identified as a new active agent. Brazilin increases the tyrosinase activity and malanin production of B-16 melanoma cells. In conclusion, it seems that brazilin cal be used as a new sunless tanning agent.