Antioxidant, Anti-Melanogenesis, and Cytotoxic Effects of Clitoria ternatea (Butterfly Pea) Flower Extract on B16 Melanoma Cells

Butterfly pea (Clitoria ternatea) flowers contain high levels of anthocyanins and flavonoids, functioning as natural antioxidants to combat free radicals. The antioxidant activity can prevent cell damage and inhibit melanogenesis, contributing to skin whitening by reducing melanin production. The present study investigated the antioxidant, anti-melanogenesis, and cytotoxic effects of butterfly pea flower (BPF) extract on B16 melanoma cells, aiming to explore its potential as a safer, natural alternative for skin whitening. Antioxidant properties and anti-melanogenesis potential of BPF extract were evaluated using the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging and tyrosinase inhibition assays, respectively. The cytotoxicity of BPF extract on B16 melanoma cells was further examined using the 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazolyl-2)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. The results of the DPPH assay indicated that BPF extract exhibited an IC50 value of 165.10±7.78 ppm, compared to quercetin (the reference compound) with an IC50 value of 3.53±0.08, indicating moderate antioxidant potential. Butterfly pea flower extract showed an IC50 of 130.90±3.52 ppm in tyrosinase inhibition assay, indicating a weaker anti-melanogenesis effect than hydroquinone (IC50 value of 17.04±0.14 ppm). The MTT technique revealed high biocompatibility with 85% B16 melanoma cell viability at 250 ppm for BPF, compared to only 24.45% for doxorubicin at 30 ppm. These findings underscore the potential of BPF extract as a bioactive ingredient for skin care, offering moderate antioxidant activity with safe, natural anti-melanogenesis effects. The present study supports BPF’s application in cosmetic formulations aimed at skin protection and whitening, with minimized toxicity for prolonged use.