In Silico and in Vitro Comparison of Anti-tyrosinase Potential of Crocin and Quercetin

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Kurdistan, Sanandaj, Iran

Abstract

Tyrosinase inhibitors are often used in two primary ways: in the cosmetics industry to lighten skin and treat certain dermatological conditions, and in agriculture to stop fruit and vegetables from browning caused by enzymes. This study aimed to compare the anti-tyrosinase and antioxidant potential of Crocin and Quercetin. The work was started by molecular docking (in silico). The experiment was then carried out in a lab setting using a commercial mushroom tyrosinase, pyrocatechol as the substrate, and Kojic acid as a typical enzyme inhibitor. Crocin and Quercetin antioxidant activity was assessed using DPPH radicals. Docking scores presented that Crocin has a great binding affinity towards tyrosinase, ΔG = -6.1 Kcal/mol. Quercetin had a binding energy of ΔG = -8.0 (kcal/mol). Quercetin exhibited a higher tyrosinase inhibitory effect with an IC50 of 0.158 mM, whereas Crocin showed a lower capacity of inhibition with an IC50 of 2.49 mM. The types of inhibition were competitive inhibition for Quercetin and mixed inhibition for Crocin. For DPPH radical scavenging activity, the EC50 value for Ascorbic acid was 0.179 mM; this value for Crocin and Quercetin was 1.74 mM and 0.031 mM, respectively. Quercetin is a powerful and mechanistically simple inhibitor of mushroom tyrosinase, so it is a valuable candidate for several applications targeted at regulating enzymatic browning and melanogenesis. Despite having antioxidant and inhibitory qualities, Crocin may not be as efficient as it may be as a main tyrosinase inhibitor due to its mixed mechanism of inhibition and its lower inhibitory potential.

Keywords

Main Subjects

References

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Journal of Medicinal plants and By-products
Volume 15, Issue 1
January and February 2026
Pages 85-90

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