RESUMEN
Objective To investigate the major effective Chinese materia medica inQuban Prescription for intervention in melanin synthesis.Methods 3×2 factorial design was used. The factors of investigation were Crataegi Fructus, Angelicae Sinensis Radix and Corni Fructus. Tyrosinase activity, melanin generation and auto-oxidation of dopa were determinated respectively; and the major effective Chinese materia medica ofQuban Prescription for intervention in melanin synthesis was analyzed by SPSS16.0 software.Results Tyrosinase activity was remarkably inhibited by Corni Fructus (P<0.05). Melanin generation was remarkably inhibited by Corni Fructus and Angelicae Sinensis Radix (P<0.01). Auto-oxidation of dopa was remarkably inhibited by Corni Fructus and Angelicae Sinensis Radix (P<0.05). Corni Fructus was in an absolute leading position.ConclusionCorni Fructus is the major effective Chinese materia medica in inhibiting tyrosinase activity, melanin generation and auto-oxidation of dopa in the prescription.