Tyrosinase Inhibitory Activity of Garcinia latissima Miq. Extracts

Background: Tyrosinase is an enzyme that plays an essential part in the process of melanin synthesis. High exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation or high stimulation of melanocytes could cause excessive melanin pigments to lead to hyperpigmentation. Objective: This study aimed to find potential natural skin lightening ingredients from Garcinia latissima Miq. Methods: Stem bark, fruits, and leaves of Garcinia latissima Miq. were extracted with successive maceration. The tyrosinase inhibitory activity test was measured spectrophotometrically at 490 nm using 3,4-dihydroxy-L-phenylalanine (L-DOPA) as substrate and kojic acid as a positive control. Results: The tyrosinase inhibitory activity test at a concentration of 100 ppm showed that the bark ethyl acetate extract 15.94% ± 7.70, bark methanol extract of 28.94% ± 5.73, fruit n-hexane extract 25.16% ± 10.22, fruit methanol extract 23.26% ± 9.10; and leaf methanol extract 30.59% ± 0.63 with kojic acid inhibition 65.07%. Conclusion: Methanol extract of leaf from Garcinia latissima Miq was the most active extract as a tyrosinase inhibitor.