Sesamin, sesamolin (lignans) and sesamol–from sesame seed (Sesamum indicum L.)–are
known for their health promoting properties. We examined the inhibition effect of sesamol, a
phenolic degradation product of sesamolin, on the key enzyme in melanin synthesis, viz.
tyrosinase, in vitro. Sesamol inhibits both diphenolase and monophenolase activities with
midpoint concentrations of 1.9 μM and 3.2 μM, respectively. It is a competitive inhibitor of
diphenolase activity with a Ki of 0.57 μM and a non-competitive inhibitor of monophenolase …