Tyrosinase inhibitory potential of phytochemicals and mycomolecules

Abstract

Aim: The aim of this study is to delve the tyrosinase inhibitory potential of various mycomolecules and phytochemicals. Material and Methods: Sporocarps of Volvariella volvacea strain CBE TNAU 1505 were produced. The extract was collected and centrifuged at 15,000 rpm for 30 min at 4°C. The supernatant was used as enzyme source. Methanol, acetone, and water fractions of phytochemicals from Adhatoda vasica, Morinda citrifolia, Aloe vera, Glycyrrhiza glabra, Piper betle, Citrus limon, Azadirachta indica, Morus alba, Vitex negundo, Curcuma longa and mycomolecules from Ganoderma lucidum, Coriolus versicolor, Pisolithus albus, Lycoperdon esculentum, Schizophyllum commune, Ophiocordyceps neovolkiana, Ophiocordyceps sinensis, and Lentinus edodes were extracted and tested for tyrosinase inhibitory activity. Results and Discussion: Among the fractions, tyrosinase inhibitory activity of methanolic fractions was always found to be better, when used at 500 μg ml−1,irrespective of the sample tested. Among phytochemicals, G. glabra exhibited the maximum tyrosinase inhibition of 65.6%. C. limon showed the minimum tyrosinase inhibitory activity of 16.3%. The mycomolecules extracted from G. lucidum registered the maximum tyrosinase inhibition of 53.3%. The tyrosinase inhibitory activity of mycomolecules was found to be positively correlated with their antioxidant activities. Tyrosinase inhibition may be attributed to the presence of melanogenic inhibitors, namely, isoflavones, chalcone derivatives, stilbenes in phytochemicals and flavonoids, polyphenols and triterpenoids in mycomolecules. Conclusion: Methanolic fractions of G. glabra and G. lucidum have inhibited the tyrosinase activity to the maximum extent. Future research for exploiting more benign mycomolecules and phytochemicals in this regard is most warranted.