Silymarin inhibits melanin synthesis in melanocyte cells.

Objectives: The aim was to search for inhibitors of melanogenesis from natural resources.

Methods: The inhibitory effect of silymarin on melanogenesis in a spontaneously immortalized mouse melanocyte cell line, Mel-Ab, was studied.

Key Findings: Silymarin significantly prevented melanin production in a dose-dependent manner with an IC50 value (concentration producing 50% maximal inhibition) of 28.