In-silico study of curcumin, demethoxycurcumin and xanthorrizol as skin whitening agents

Abstract

Curcumin, demetoxycurcumin and xanthorrhizol are an active compounds contained in temulawak (Curcuma xanthorrhiza) which have activity in inhibiting the tyrosinase enzyme and α-melanocyte stimulating hormone (α-MSH ) in vitro. Docking simulation was done to determine and visualize the interaction of the three compounds with the tyrosinase enzyme and α-MSH. The results of docking simulations showed that the three compounds can interact spontaneously with the tyrosinase enzyme and α-MSH. On the tyrosinase enzyme, xanthorrhizol interact most easily through the formation of hydrogen bonds with Asn205. On the α-MSH, demethoxycurcumin interact most easily through the formation of two hydrogen bonds with His3 and Arg5. With the inhibitory effect on the enzyme tyrosinase and α-melanocyte stimulating hormone (α-MSH) means preventing the formation of skin coloring pigment melanin, indicating that the three compounds studied can be applied as  skin whitening agents.