Tyrosinase plays an important role in the process of melanin biosynthesis, and it is a biochemical target enzyme for skin-whitening agents and the remedy for disturbances in pigmentation. We have screened 25 natural plant extracts for inhibitory effects against DOPA oxidase activity of tyrosinase. For the inhibitory effect against DOPA oxidase activity of tyrosinase, the recombinant human tyrosinase and the purified mushroom tyrosinase were used. Each of the dried plants extracted with methanol, and then the extracts were subjected to sequential fractionations with methylene chloride, ethyl acetate, n-butanol and water, respective The methylene chloride fractions of Angelica tenuissima, Nardostachys chinensis, Bombyx mop and Saposhnikovia divaricata, and the n-butanol fraction of Bombyx mori notably inhibited the human tyrosinase activity as well as mushroom tyrosinase activity (more than 90% inhibition). This study suggests that the above extracts have a potential as whitening agents as single ingredients or in combination with other of the extracts.