Originating in China and Korea, the Evodia rutaecarpa tree produces a fruit that has a strong, bitter taste. The fruit has been used in traditional Chinese medicine due to its reported anti-inflammatory activity. A 2006 study published in the Journal of Dermatological Science confirmed that compounds found in Evodia rutaecarpa fruit extract have powerful anti-inflammatory activity when applied topically to human skin. The most biologically active components of Evodia rutaecarpa were identified as the alkaloids rutaecarpine and dehydroevodiamine. Another study found that dehydroevodiamine could decrease melanin content through direct inhibition of tyrosinase activity. This means that Evodia rutaecarpa fruit extract may help to reduce the appearance of age spots and other skin pigmentation conditions.