In order to investigate the inhibitory effect of one of the whitening chemicals arbutin on melanin synthesis, zebrafish embryos was used as a model, after exposing them to different concentrations of arbutin solution, the melanin synthesis were observed, furthermore expressions of several crucial genes on the melanin synthesis pathway in the embryos were measured. The results of qualitative observation showed that, with the increasing concentration of arbutin, its inhibition on melanin synthesis is significantly enhanced. The gene expression analysis showed that, arbutin inhibit the melanin synthesis by suppressing the expression of melanin synthesis-related genes, such as oculocutaneous albinism type 2 (OCA2), tyrosinase(TYR) and silver (SILV). These results explain the mechanism in melanin inhibiting process of arbutin, and provide a basis for the application of zebrafish embryo model in whitening chemicals screening.