Transformation of Finasteride (I) by cell suspension cultures of Ocimum sanctum L. was investigated. Fer- mentation of compound (I) with O. sanctum afforded three oxidized derivatives, 16b-hydroxyfinasteride
(II), 11a-hydroxyfinasteride (III) and 15b-hydroxyfinasteride (IV). Among these metabolites, compound
(II) was a new metabolite. Compound (I) and its derivatives were studied for their tyrosinase inhibition assay. All test compounds exhibited significant activity compared to standard drug kojic acid, with com- pound IV being the most potent member with an IC50 of 1.87 lM. Molecular docking revealed significant
molecular interactions behind the potent tyrosinase inhibitory activity of the tested compounds.