Comparative Tyrosinase Inhibitory Activity of Red Ginger (Zingiber officinale R) and Lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus) Ethanol Extracts Lelly Yuniarti,1 Maya Tejasari 2,Miranti Kania Dewi3, Erni Maryam4
Department of Biochemistry, Nutrition, and Biomolecular, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Islam Bandung, Indonesia
Department of Histology, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Islam Bandung, Indonesia
Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Islam Bandung, Indonesia
Master^s Program in Antiaging and Medical AestheticsMedical Faculty of Universitas Jendral Ahmad Yani
Abstract
Abstract
Melasma is characterized by dysregulated melanin production, resulting in symmetrical hyperpigmented macules with irregular borders. These manifestations commonly appear as dark brown patches on the forehead, cheeks, upper lip, and chin. Pigmentation disorders are reported to be among the top five most common skin conditions, with melasma being the most prevalent. Current treatments for melasma primarily focus on inhibiting melanin synthesis, specifically by targeting the enzyme tyrosinase and melanocytes.
This study aimed to evaluate the inhibitory effects of ethanol extracts of red ginger (Zingiber officinale) and lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus) on tyrosinase activity. The tyrosinase inhibition assay was conducted to assess the ability of various substances to inhibit melanin synthesis by targeting the activity of the tyrosinase enzyme. The results of this assay are typically expressed as IC50 (the concentration required to inhibit 50% of enzyme activity) or in kojic acid equivalents, providing a comparative measure of inhibitory potency relative to kojic acid, a widely recognized and established tyrosinase inhibitor.
The results showed that the IC50 for the lemongrass ethanol extract was 281.18 ppm, while the IC50 for the red ginger ethanol extract was 181.90 ppm. In conclusion, both the ethanol extracts of red ginger and lemongrass demonstrated tyrosinase inhibitory activity and have the potential to be developed as stable anti-melasma formulations.
Keywords: lemosgrass, melanin, melasma, red ginger, tyrosinase inhibitor
