In vitro skin whitening and lightening properties of Sri Lankan low grown orthodox Orange Pekoe grade black tea

Abstract

Presently, there is a demand for development of cheap, safe and effective skin whitening and lightening herbal cosmeceutical formulations. In this connection, this study, was performed to assess the skin whitening and lightening properties of Sri Lankan low grown orthodox Orange Pekoe (O.P) grade of black tea (made from buds and upper most tender leaves of Camellia sinensis L. plant), by determining its inhibiting potential of the activity of mushroom tyrosinase enzyme in vitro. The concentrations tested were 25, 50, 100, 200 and 400 µg/ml and reference drug used was quercetin. The results showed that Sri Lankan O.P. grade black tea has mild but dose-dependent antityrosinase activity in vitro. This is a new finding for any grade of Sri Lankan black tea. It is concluded that Sri Lankan O.P. grade black tea has the potential to be developed as a cheap, safe and effective multipurpose (antioxidant, sun screening or antiaging) skin whitening and lightening herbal cosmeceutical (considering its other bioactivities reported).