6′-O-Caffeoylarbutin inhibits melanogenesis in zebrafish

6′-O-Caffeoylarbutin, an arbutin derivative, is a naturally occurring glucoside of hydroquinone from Vaccinium dunalianum. On anti-melanogenic effect assay, 6′-O-caffeoylarbutin expressed a stronger anti-melanin activity in a dose-dependent manner with about a two-fold more than that of arbutin, but with less toxicity about a two-fold lower than that of arbutin. In addition, melanin synthesis could be fully recovered after the removal of 6′-O-caffeoylarbutin. The result suggested that 6′-O-caffeoylarbutin could be a candidate natural product to serve as a skin-whitening ingredient with the merits of potent melanin inhibition, less toxicity and reversible melanin synthesis after stopping use.