Objective:To study the whitening effects of the fruit extract of Pyracantha fortuneana（Maxim.） Li and investigate its effects on the release of histamine in peritoneal mast cells as well as discuss the possible mechanism.Method:In order to observe the whitening effects of the fruit extract of P.fortuneana

the tyrosinase inhibitory rate of its fruit extract was determined

and the content of melanin and the activity of tyrosinase in B16 cells treated with the fruit extract were also tested.On the other hand

in order to observe the effects of the fruit extract of P.fortuneana on histamine release

the histamine level in mast cells stimulated by Compound 48 /80 and treated with its fruit extract was measured by high performance liquid chromatography with an electrochemical detection（HPLC-ECD）.Result:The fruit extract of P.fortuneana had significantly inhibitory effects on the activity of tyrosinase and the content of melanin in B16 cells.Moreover

the fruit extract also reduced the histamine level in mast cells stimulated by Compound 48 /80 in a dose dependant manner.Conclusion: The fruit extract of P.fortuneana could obviously inhibit the activity of tyrosinase and the release of histamine in mast cells

which provides experimental evidences for its usage as a whitening agent.