In 2006, Wang et al. investigated 25 traditional Chinese herbal medicines potentially useful in dermatology, particularly for skin whitening, and found that white mulberry was one of four species to potently inhibit tyrosinase activity, and more strongly than arbutin did (J. Ethnopharmacol. 2006;106:353-9).
Chinese mulberry/shimaguwa
In 2012, Zheng et al. isolated constituents from the roots of Chinese mulberry and found that several ingredients, including oxyresveratrol, moracenin D, sanggenon T, and kuwanon O, displayed more potent tyrosinase inhibition than kojic acid did. They concluded that Chinese mulberry is a good natural source of tyrosinase inhibitors and is potentially useful in cosmetic skin-lightening products as well as in foods as antibrowning agents (Fitoterapia 2012;83:1008-13).
Conclusion
Mulberry is actively used within the dermatologic armamentarium as one of the many options for skin lightening. A significant body of evidence has emerged over the past 15 years to establish the antityrosinase activity of various mulberry species, particularly white mulberry and paper mulberry.
Dr. Baumann is chief executive officer of the Baumann Cosmetic & Research Institute in Miami Beach. She founded the cosmetic dermatology center at the University of Miami in 1997. Dr. Baumann wrote the textbook "Cosmetic Dermatology: Principles and Practice" (McGraw-Hill, 2009), and a book for consumers, "The Skin Type Solution" (Bantam, 2006). She has contributed to the Cosmeceutical Critique column in Skin & Allergy News since January 2001 and joined the editorial advisory board in 2004. Dr. Baumann has received funding for clinical grants from Allergan, Aveeno, Avon Products, Galderma, Mary Kay, Medicis Pharmaceuticals, Neutrogena, Philosophy, Stiefel, Topix Pharmaceuticals, and Unilever.