PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a melanin formation inhibitor, a skin lightening agent, and a dermatologic external preparation each containing a compound having high melanin formation inhibition activity as a beneficial ingredient.SOLUTION: It has been confirmed that shikimic acid has a melanin formation inhibition effect and shows a cell survival rate of about 100% in concentration in which it can exhibit a melanin formation inhibition effect, that syringic acid has a melanin formation inhibition effect but yet exhibits high cytotoxicity, and that 3,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid exhibits no melanin formation inhibition effect. Therefore, a melanin formation inhibitor containing shikimic acid or a salt thereof as a beneficial ingredient, a skin whitening agent containing shikimic acid or a salt thereof as a beneficial ingredient, and a skin whitening dermatologic external preparation containing shikimic acid or a salt thereof as a beneficial ingredient are formulated.COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT【課題】メラニン生成抑制活性の高い化合物を有効成分とするメラニン生成抑制剤や美白剤や皮膚外用剤を提供すること。【解決手段】シキミ酸は、メラニン生成抑制効果を有しメラニン生成抑制効果を有する濃度における細胞生存率がほぼ100%であったが、シリンガ酸は、メラニン生成抑制効果を有するが細胞毒性が高く、3,5-ジヒドロキシ安息香酸は、メラニン生成抑制効果を有さなかったことから、シキミ酸又はその塩を有効成分とするメラニン生成抑制剤や、シキミ酸又はその塩を有効成分とする美白剤や、シキミ酸又はその塩を含む美白用皮膚外用剤を調製した。【選択図】なし
