Depigmenting effect of catechins.

The aim of the present work was to clarify the anti-melanogenic mechanism of the catechin group. In this study, we used (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), (-)-epigallocatechin (EGC), (-)-catechin (C), and gallic acid (GA). The catechin group inhibited melanin synthesis in B16 melanoma cells. To elucidate the anti-melanogenic mechanism of the catechin group, we performed Western blotting analysis for crucial melanogenic protein, namely tyrosinase. The catechin group inhibited tyrosinase expression. These results indicate that the catechin group is a candidate anti-melanogenic agent and that it might be effective in hyperpigmentation disorders.