Phytochemical characterization and evaluation of anti-melanogenic of ethanol extract from Trichosanthes costata Blume: in vitro and In silico analysis

This study investigated the phytochemical composition and biological effects of Trichosanthes costata extract using both in vitro and in silico approaches. The extract exhibited high flavonoid content, strong antioxidant capacity, and selective cytotoxicity against B16 melanoma cells. Furthermore, it significantly reduced melanin ­synthesis, inhibited tyrosinase activity, and downregulated key melanogenesis-related genes, including tyr, trp1, trp2, and mitf. A total of 74 phytocompounds were identified using GC–MS and LC–MS analyses. GC–MS analysis revealed major constituents, including 2-pentanone (43.01%), taraxasterol (27.14%), and lupeol (9.72%), while LC–MS analysis identified N-isobutyl-(2E,4E)-octadecadienamide (82.103%) as a predominant compound. Among the identified phytochemicals, taraxasterol exhibited strong binding affinity towards melanogenesis-related proteins, suggesting its potential role in melanin regulation. Collectively, this study provides the first evidence of anti-melanogenic activity in T. costata, revealing previously uncharacterised bioactivities and supporting the potential repurposing of taraxasterol as potential natural candidates for the treatment of hyperpigmentation disorders.