Tyrosinase Inhibitory Activities of the Capitulums of Helichrysum plicatum subsp. plicatum

Helichrysum plicatum subsp. plicatum (Asteraceae) is known as “ölmez

çiçek, altın otu” in Turkey. As the capitulums of the plant are rich from flavonoids

and have high antioxidant activity, one may expect high tyrosinase inhibitory

activity for this drog. Tyrosinase is a key enzyme involved in the melanin synthesis

pathway. While high tyrosinase activities may lead to hyperpigmentation in

humans, blacking in fruits and vegetables; the low tyrosinase activities may

lead to hypopigmentation in humans. In addition, melanin has also found in the

brain and has crucial roles in the nervous system and thus its extreme

production may cause to neurodegeneration. Four different extracts were

fractionated from the crude methanol extract and tyrosinose inhibition activity

values were determined. N-hexan, water, dichloromethane, ethyl

acetate extract and commercial α-Kojic

acid tyrosinose inhibition activity values were % 63, 33, 30, 1.18, 90 at 50 μg/mL,

respectively. According to results n-hexan extracts showed the highest

tyrosinase inhibitory effects.<o:p></o:p>

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Keywords: Helichrysum plicatum subsp. plicatum, tyrosinase, cosmetics<o:p></o:p>