Syzygium cumini (L.) Skeels is a famous herbal tree in Myrtaceae family. Antioxidative activity of its ethanolic extract was determined using DPPH assay and the result showed that S. cumini leaf extract (SLE) exhibited stronger antioxidative properties than its branch extract (SBE) with IC50 values at 4.58±0.07 and 5.80±0.03 µg/mL, respectively. Moreover, both SLE and SBE revealed high total phenolic contents which were related to their antioxidative activities. In addition, inhibition of melanin production was assessed in B16-F10 murine melanoma cells. After 48 hr of incubation at concentrations between 0.06- 1.00 mg/mL, cells exhibited no toxicity and inhibited melanin production. RT-PCR analysis indicated the extracts inhibited the expression of tyrosinase, tyrosinase-related protein (TRP)-1 and TRP-2 genes in a dose-dependent manner. The findings reveal the antioxidative and melanin production inhibitory properties of the S. cumini extracts. In particular, SLE should be further developed for skin whitening products.
