Mulberry plant

Dried mulberry (Morus alba) leaves (85% ethanol extract) have been shown to inhibit tyrosinase activity.

Additionally, several phenolic flavonoids, such as gallic acid and quercetin, and fatty acids, such as linoleic acid and palmitic acid, have been isolated from its leaves.

Mulberroside F (moracin M-6, 3'-di-O-beta-d-glucopyranoside), the active component, showed inhibitory effects on tyrosinase activity and on melanin formation in melan-a cells.

This compound also exhibited superoxide scavenging activity that is involved in the protection against auto-oxidation, suggesting a role for Morus alba as a component of lightening cosmetics.