Variations in phytochemicals and anti-pigmentation potential of Lilium lancifolium Thunb. flowers during floral maturation

Lilium lancifolium Thunb., a traditional medicinal and edible plant widely distributed in East Asia, is rich in bioactive compounds including polysaccharides, phenolics, terpenes, saponins, sterols, and alkaloids. This study investigated the dynamic changes in phytochemical composition and anti-pigmentation potential of L. lancifolium flowers across three developmental stages. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was used to identify the major bioactive compounds, including regaloside A, regaloside C, lutein, zeaxanthin, and α-tocopherol. The green bud stage, which contained the highest concentration of phytochemicals (44.25 ± 2.22 mg/g DW), exhibited the strongest pigmentation-inhibitory effect in a zebrafish embryo-based whitening model, reducing tyrosinase activity and melanin content to 73.74% and 54.85% of the control, respectively. Correlation analyses revealed that regaloside C, β-cryptoxanthin and β-tocopherol had strong negative correlations with tyrosinase activity and melanin content. These findings highlight that L. lancifolium flowers, as medicinal and edible dual-purpose flowers and agricultural byproducts, can serve as an excellent source of natural bioactive compounds and natural anti-pigmentation agents. These phenolics hold promise for application in functional foods, dietary supplements, and natural skincare products aimed at pigmentation regulation and skin health. • Phytochemicals of Lilium lancifolium flowers vary across developmental stages. • Green bud has the highest bioactive content and strongest melanin inhibition effects. • Polyphenols, particularly regaloside C, are key in inhibiting melanin synthesis. • Lilium lancifolium flowers show promise as natural, safe skin-whitening agents.