Interaction of sesamol (3,4-methylenedioxyphenol) with tyrosinase and its effect on melanin synthesis

► Sesamol is a powerful inhibitor of tyrosinase activity. ► Sesamol inhibits monophenolase activity non-competitively. ► Sesamol is a competitive inhibitor of diphenolase activity. ► Melanin synthesis in B16F10 melanoma cells is inhibited by sesamol. ► Proliferation of B16F10 melanoma cells is prevented by sesamol through apoptosis.