Naringi crenulata is continuously used as a traditional
facial cosmetics in Myanmar and Northern Thailand for sunscreen,
anti – acne, anti – aging and whitening effects. However, scientific
evidence relating to these efficacies is rarely presented in addition to
difference of the part used that varied by region. Therefore,
comparative amount of skin lightening agent, Arbutin, in bark, stem
wood, leaf and fruit of N. crenulata was studied. The powder of air
dried bark, stem wood and leaf were separately macerated in MeOH
similar to its fresh ripped fruit under room temperature for 24 hr by
shaking at 150 rpm. The crude extracts were HPLC analyzed.
Arbutin was found highest in leaf extract (2.4256 ± 0.0050 g/kg)
following by fruit (0.2931 ± 0.0106 g/kg), stem wood (0.2600 ±
0.0214 g/kg) and bark (0.1710 ± 0.0275 g/kg), respectively. The
traditionally used is, therefore, scientifically confirmed and
promising for further development of natural lightening cosmetics.