Potent inhibitors of tyrosinase activity and melanin biosynthesis from Rheum officinale.

Thirty-three crude drug extracts were screened for their tyrosinase inhibitory activity. Among them, the acetone extract of the rhizomes of Rheum officinale Baillon showed the strongest inhibitory activity. Tyrosinase inhibitory activity-guided fractionation and chemical analysis led to the isolation of two potent compounds, 3,4',5-trihydroxystilbene-4'-O-beta-D-(2"-O-galloyl)glucopyr anoside (1) and 3,4',5-trihydroxystilbene-4'-O-beta-D-(6"-O-galloyl)glucopyr anoside (2). These compounds showed a competitive inhibition against tyrosinase and also inhibited the melanin biosynthesis.