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J Drugs Dermatol 2018 Dec;17(12):1310-1315

Objective: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of ISDINCEUTICS Melaclear® serum (Barcelona, Spain) on skin brightness, skin quality, and signs of facial aging. Design: This was a single-center, observational, open label, prospective clinical study. Ten healthy females (ages 30-70) with moderate signs of facial aging and moderate photodamage (hyperpigmentation and/or sun spots) were enrolled. Read More

Environ Res 2019 Mar 15;170:187-193. Epub 2018 Dec 15.

Institute for Translational Epidemiology, Institute for Exposomic Research, Department of Environmental Medicine & Public Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States.

Background: There is an urgent need to address the safety problems caused by the use of skin lightening cosmetics. Evidence suggests that some of them may contain heavy metals.

Objectives: We conducted a systematic review of global legal regulations regarding the permissible level of mercury, lead, arsenic, and cadmium in cosmetic products, with particular emphasis on skin lightening preparations. Read More

Biomed Pharmacother 2019 Feb 8;110:582-593. Epub 2018 Dec 8.

Student Research Committee, Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran. Electronic address:

Skin color disorders can be caused by various factors, such as excessive exposure to sunlight, aging and hormonal imbalance during pregnancy, or taking some medications. Kojic acid (KA) is a natural metabolite produced by fungi that has the ability to inhibit tyrosinase activity in synthesis of melanin. The major applications of KA and its derivatives in medicine are based on their biocompatibility, antimicrobial and antiviral, antitumor, antidiabetic, anticancer, anti-speck, anti-parasitic, and pesticidal and insecticidal properties. Read More

Int J Pharm 2018 Dec 27;552(1-2):251-257. Epub 2018 Sep 27.

Amorepacific R&D Center, Yongin-si 17074, South Korea. Electronic address:

AP736 itself is a novel skin whitening agent reported to exhibit anti-melanogenic and tyrosinase inhibitory activity. However, formulating a topical product has been difficult because AP736 is insoluble in water as well as in many oils. In this study, we aimed to develop a new topical delivery system in which AP736 is not only physically stable, but also suitably delivered to the skin. Read More

J Drugs Dermatol 2018 Sep;17(9):1018

I read with interest the informative article by Spencer et al1 that describes the efficacious use as a novel skin lightening agent (LumaPro-C) for the treatment of patients with melasma. Read More

BMC Complement Altern Med 2018 Sep 17;18(1):256. Epub 2018 Sep 17.

Department of Oriental Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Wonkwang-Oriental Medicines Research Institute, Wonkwang University, Iksan, Jeollabuk-do, 54538, South Korea.

Background: Euphorbia supina (ES) has been widely used in folk medicine owing to its antibacterial, hemostatic, and anti-inflammatory properties. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antioxidant and skin-whitening effects of a 70% ethanol extract of ES.

Methods: The aerial parts of ES plant were extracted with 70% ethanol. Read More

Molecules 2018 Sep 13;23(9). Epub 2018 Sep 13.

IT Convergence Materials R&BD Group, Korean Institute of Industrial Technology, 89 Yangdaegiro-gil, Ipjang-myeon, Seobuk-gu, Cheonan-si 31056, Chungnam, Korea.

Skin-whitening ingredients are a very important part of the development of functional cosmetics and a wide variety of raw materials are used. Tyrosinase is a key enzyme in the animal melanogenic pathway that is the rate-limiting step for the production of melanin. Several synthetic and naturally occurring tyrosinase inhibitors have been studied for skin-whitening. Read More

Food Funct 2018 Oct;9(10):5139-5149

Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Edible and Medicinal Bioresources, Shenzhen Research Institute, Hi-Tech Park, Shenzhen, 518000, China.

Edible bird's nest (EBN), an Asian health food, contains insoluble proteins and conjugated N-acetylneuraminic acid (NANA) that are difficult to be absorbed by humans. In order to increase the nutritional value of EBN, we developed methods to digest EBN targeting the release of proteins and NANA. By using simulated gastric fluid under acidic conditions, the complex proteins were fully digested into smaller peptides, and in parallel, NANA was fully released from the conjugated form. Read More

J Dermatol 2018 Nov 29;45(11):1283-1288. Epub 2018 Aug 29.

Department of Dermatology, Teikyo University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.

Rhododendrol (RD), 4-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-2-butanol, inhibits melanin synthesis and had been used in skin-whitening cosmetic products until 2013. However, some individuals developed leukoderma on the skin where RD had been applied and have suffered from refractory depigmentation even after discontinuing RD application. Bimatoprost is a prostaglandin F2α analog and is often used for eyelash growth for cosmetic reasons as well as in the treatment of glaucoma. Read More

Biosci Biotechnol Biochem 2018 Nov 25;82(11):1871-1879. Epub 2018 Aug 25.

a Natural Products and Materials Research Institute , SK bioland, Cheongju-si , Korea.

Aurea Helianthus (AH), also known as wild confederate rose or golden sunflower, is a curative herb. It has been used as a medicinal material in China due to its anti-inflammatory, immune regulatory, and anti-oxidant activities. However, its melanogenic effect on skin has not been sufficiently investigated. Read More

J Ethnopharmacol 2018 Nov 10;226:73-81. Epub 2018 Aug 10.

Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Biology Research Center, International St. Mary's Hospital, Catholic Kwandong University College of Medicine, Incheon, Republic of Korea; Department of Dermatology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea. Electronic address:

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Stichopus japonicus (sea cucumber), edible traditional food in Asia, and its extracts are renowned for their wound healing, pain relieving, and cosmetic effects in traditional medicine. Holothurins, toxins isolated from sea cucumber, are thought to be active components for their beneficial effects. However, researchers have yet to outline specific mechanisms thereof. Read More

Int J Mol Sci 2018 Jul 24;19(8). Epub 2018 Jul 24.

Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Medicine, University of Murcia and Instituto Murciano de Investigación Biosanitaria (IMIB), 30120 El Palmar, Spain.

Caffeic acid derivatives represent promising lead compounds in the search for tyrosinase inhibitors to be used in the treatment of skin local hyperpigmentation associated to an overproduction or accumulation of melanin. We recently reported the marked inhibitory activity of a conjugate of caffeic acid with dihydrolipoic acid, 2--lipoylcaffeic acid (LCA), on the tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and dopa oxidase (DO) activities of mushroom tyrosinase. In the present study, we evaluated a more lipophilic derivative, 2--lipoyl caffeic acid methyl ester (LCAME), as an inhibitor of tyrosinase from human melanoma cells. Read More

J Dermatol Sci 2018 Sep 27;91(3):311-316. Epub 2018 Jun 27.

Department of Environmental Chemistry and Engineering, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 4259-G1-14, Nagatsuta-cho, Midori-ku, Yokohama 226-8502, Japan.

Background: Rhododendrol (4-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-2-butanol) has been used as a lightening/whitening cosmetic but was recently reported to induce leukoderma. Although rhododendrol has been shown to be transformed by tyrosinase to hydroxyl-rhododendrol, which is cytotoxic to melanocytes, its detailed mechanism of action including the involvement of reactive oxygen species is not clearly understood.

Objective: To confirm the relationship of hydroxyl radical generation to melanocyte cytotoxicity induced by rhododendrol, this study was performed. Read More

Saudi Pharm J 2018 Jul 8;26(5):709-718. Epub 2018 Feb 8.

Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań, Faculty of Chemistry, Umultowska 89b, 61-614 Poznań, Poland.

The aim of this study was to characterize the stability of new vehicles for the undecylenoyl phenylalanine that is used as skin-lightening agent in the melasma treatment. The purpose of this research was also to analyse the release kinetics of phenylalanine derivative from topical preparations through different synthetic membranes. Topical formulations such as two different macroemulsions, hydrogels (based on carbomer and hydroxyethylcellulose) and microemulsions were characterized in terms of stability by laser diffraction method. Read More

Acta Derm Venereol 2018 Oct;98(9):914-915

Section of Dermatology, Department of Medical Science and Public Health, University of Cagliari, IT-09124 Cagliari, Italy.

J Cosmet Sci 2018 Mar/Apr;69(2):101-120

Family Medicine Postgraduate Program, Taibah University, Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarah, Saudi Arabia (M.E.A.), Family Medicine Postgraduate Program, Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarah, Ministry of Health, Saudi Arabia (M.E.A., R.A.A., and K.S.A.), Department of Dermatology, King Fahd Hospital, Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarah, Ministry of Health, Saudi Arabia (O.M.A.), Department of Clinical Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Taibah Faculty of Medicine, Taibah University, Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarah, Saudi Arabia (S.M.E.L.), Department of Medical, Sohag Faculty of Medicine, Sohag University, Egypt (S.M.E.L.).

We aimed at investigating the cosmetic interests, public confidence in cosmetic industry, health knowledge, practice, and need for health education regarding using topical bleaching agents (TPAs) among a relatively big sample size in Al-Madinah (west Saudi Arabia, a conservative eastern society that acquires its social customs from Islam). Islamic values increased women respect and esteem in this society. This is reflected on cosmetic practices and attitude, e. Read More

Cell Mol Biol (Noisy-le-grand) 2018 Apr 30;64(5):80-84. Epub 2018 Apr 30.

Department of Beauty Care & Cosmetics, Osan University, Osan, Gyeonggi 18119, Republic of Korea.

In skin, melanocytes determine skin color using melanogenesis, which induces protective mechanism to oxidative stress and UV damage. However, when melanin is excessive produced by the various stimulus, the accumulated melanin induces hyperpigmentation disease such as melasma, freckles, Melanism ware induced. Therefore, it is implicated to finding potential agents for whitening to be used in cosmetic products. Read More

Int J Mol Sci 2018 Apr 10;19(4). Epub 2018 Apr 10.

Pharmaceutical Research and Technology Institute, Kindai University, 3-4-1 Kowakae, Higashi-osaka, Osaka 577-8502, Japan.

l-Ascorbic acid has multifunctional benefits on skin aesthetics, including inhibition of melanin production, and is widely used in cosmetics. It, however, has low stability and poor skin penetration. We hypothesize that alkylglyceryl-l-ascorbic acid derivatives, highly stable vitamin C-alkylglycerol conjugates, would have similar anti-melanogenic activity with better stability and penetration. Read More

Oxid Med Cell Longev 2018 4;2018:6354972. Epub 2018 Feb 4.

Graduate Institute of Biomedical Engineering, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung 402, Taiwan.

-Hydroxycinnamoylphenalkylamides (36H) exhibited both antioxidation and antityrosinase abilities. The compound was studied for its antioxidative properties, using a 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazul- (DPPH-) scavenging test, a ferric ion-reducing antioxidant power assay (FRAP) assessment, and a metal-chelating power assay. The results showed that 36H had antioxidative capabilities in the DPPH-scavenging and ferric-reducing power examinations but the chelating power assay did not demonstrate antioxidative capability. Read More

J Cosmet Laser Ther 2018 Nov - Dec;20(7-8):470-481. Epub 2018 Feb 20.

a Laser Research Centre, Faculty of Health Sciences , University of Johannesburg , Doornfontein , South Africa.

A blemish free, even-toned skin is universally associated with healthy skin. This reasoning makes people desire to have a flawless skin. Melanin is a naturally occurring pigment in humans. Read More

Oxid Med Cell Longev 2017 31;2017:9303054. Epub 2017 Dec 31.

Department of Dermatology, The Third People's Hospital of Hangzhou, Hangzhou 310009, China.

Antroquinonol was investigated as antioxidant and inhibition of inflammatory responses. Our study was to evaluate its immunosuppressive effect on CD8 T cells and protective effect on depigmentation. CD8 T cells were treated with antroquinonol , and C57BL/6 mice were treated with antroquinonol with or without HO for 50 consecutive days. Read More

Int J Mol Sci 2018 Feb 12;19(2). Epub 2018 Feb 12.

Department of Chemistry, Fujita Health University School of Health Sciences, 1-98 Dengakugakubo, Kutsukake-cho, Toyoake, Aichi 470-1192, Japan.

-4-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-2-butanol (rhododendrol (RD))-a skin-whitening ingredient-was reported to induce leukoderma in some consumers. We have examined the biochemical basis of the RD-induced leukoderma by elucidating the metabolic fate of RD in the course of tyrosinase-catalyzed oxidation. We found that the oxidation of racemic RD by mushroom tyrosinase rapidly produces RD-quinone, which gives rise to secondary quinone products. Read More

Indian J Dermatol Venereol Leprol 2018;84(2):234-237

Department of Skin and V.D, Sri Guru Ram Das Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, Amritsar, Punjab, India.

J Dermatol 2018 Apr 5;45(4):456-462. Epub 2018 Feb 5.

Department of Dermatology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan.

Rhododendrol (RD), 4-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-2-butanol, inhibits melanin synthesis and has been used for skin-whitening cosmetic products. RD has been very effective in lightening skin pigmentation, but some persons have developed so-called RD vitiligo, in which vitiligo starts on the face, neck and hands where topical RD has been applied and even extended over skin areas where RD has not been applied. RD vitiligo lesions in some patients have lasted for years and have been resistant to conventional vitiligo treatments. Read More

Arch Dermatol Res 2018 Apr 22;310(3):245-253. Epub 2018 Jan 22.

Graduate School of Biotechnology, Kyung Hee University, Global Campus, Yongin, Gyeonggi, 446-701, Republic of Korea.

The excrement of silkworms (Bombyx mori L.), referred to here as silkworm droppings (SDs), is used as a traditional drug in eastern medicine to treat skin diseases such as urticaria and atopy. However, the depigmentation effects of SDs have not previously been evaluated. Read More

Public Health 2018 Feb 9;155:81-87. Epub 2018 Jan 9.

Ensign College of Public Health, Kpong, Ghana. Electronic address:

Objective: The practice of skin lightening (SL) persist despite warnings about its harmful health effects. Adolescents are particularly vulnerable and at risk of prolonged use of SL products. We explored SL practices among high school students in Ghana, West Africa. Read More

Carcinogenesis 2018 04;39(4):571-579

Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Accra, Ghana.

Skin lighteners and hair relaxers, both common among women of African descent, have been suggested as possibly affecting breast cancer risk. In Accra and Kumasi, Ghana, we collected detailed information on usage patterns of both exposures among 1131 invasive breast cancer cases and 2106 population controls. Multivariate analyses estimated odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) after adjustment for breast cancer risk factors. Read More

J Drugs Dermatol 2018 Jan;17(1):113-115

Melasma remains a troubling problem for physicans and patients alike. It is a chronic irregular, symmetric hyperpigmentation seen most often in women. In this study, a unique combination of ingredients with non-irritating properties was tested for treatment of melasma. Read More

J Microbiol Biotechnol 2018 Mar;28(3):375-380

Department of Biotechnology, College of Natural Resources and Life Science, Dong-A University, Busan 49315, Republic of Korea.

We have previously found that mycelia culture broth of eight kinds of traditional herbal extracts fermented with (previously named as 8-HsPLCB) not only inhibited melanin and tyrosinase activity, but also reduced the contents of melanogenesis-related proteins, including tyrosinase and microphthalmia-associated transcription factor, in 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine-stimulated B16F0 melanoma cells. For a further study, the effect of 8-HsPLCB against skin pigmentation in brown guinea pigs with ultraviolet B (UVB)-induced hyperpigmentation was investigated. 8-HsPLCB (3%) and arbutin (2%) as positive controls were applied topically twice daily for 4 weeks to the hyperpigmented areas. Read More

Int J Mol Sci 2017 Dec 22;19(1). Epub 2017 Dec 22.

School of Biosystem and Biomedical Science, College of Health Science, Korea University, 22 Gil Inchon-ro, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul 02855, Korea.

The pigment molecule, melanin, is produced from melanosomes of melanocytes through melanogenesis, which is a complex process involving a combination of chemical and enzymatically catalyzed reactions. The synthesis of melanin is primarily influenced by tyrosinase (TYR), which has attracted interest as a target molecule for the regulation of pigmentation or depigmentation in skin. Thus, direct inhibitors of TYR activity have been sought from various natural and synthetic materials. Read More

Clin Exp Dermatol 2018 Jun 18;43(4):399-403. Epub 2017 Dec 18.

Department of Biostatistics, Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health, Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, GA, USA.

Background: Skin bleaching is a common, yet potentially harmful body modification practice.

Aim: To describe the characteristics of the most widely viewed YouTube™ videos related to skin bleaching.

Methods: The search term 'skin bleaching' was used to identify the 100 most popular English-language YouTube videos relating to the topic. Read More

Chin Med J (Engl) 2017 Dec;130(24):3003-3004

Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450052, China.

Molecules 2017 Dec 11;22(12). Epub 2017 Dec 11.

College of Pharmacy and Natural Medicine Research Institute, Mokpo National University, Muan-gun, Jeonnam 58554, Korea.

In this study, we prepared and characterized a callus extract from and assessed its utility as a source of topical anti-aging ingredients. Callus extract was produced by aqueous extraction from grown on Murashige and Skoog medium with picloram as a growth regulator. After measuring the total phenolic and flavonoid contents, the major phenolic compound in calli was identified as -hydroxycinnamoylmalic acid () by spectroscopic analysis. Read More

Ann Dermatol Venereol 2018 Feb 6;145(2):81-82. Epub 2017 Dec 6.

Service de dermatologie, hôpital Pasteur, 39, avenue de la Liberté, 68024 Colmar, France. Electronic address:

J Cosmet Dermatol 2018 Oct 28;17(5):830-839. Epub 2017 Nov 28.

Maxwell Pharma Sdn Bhd, Zenith Corporate Park, Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia.

Background: Skin hyperpigmentation is the darkening of skin due to the increased production of melanin in the body.

Objectives: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of a botanical-based Rosa E pigmentation serum in healthy fair skin female volunteers with wrinkles, skin tone, and pigmentation.

Methods: This was a single-arm, open label study conducted in healthy Indian females; 18 subjects aged 30-55, having fair Caucasian-like skin with at least 2 dark skin pigments with facial wrinkles diagnosed by dermatologist were selected. Read More

J Dermatol Sci 2018 Feb 20;89(2):165-171. Epub 2017 Nov 20.

Bio & Drug Discovery Division, Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology, Daejeon 34114, Republic of Korea; Department of Medical Chemistry and Pharmacology, University of Science & Technology, Daejeon, Republic of Korea. Electronic address:

Background: The demand for anti-melanogenic agents is increasing due to the unwanted side effects of current treatments. To find an effective anti-melanogenic agent, we used zebrafish as a whole animal model for phenotype-based drug and cosmetic discovery screening.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to identify and explore a small molecule that could be used for skin-whitening cosmetics. Read More

Ann Dermatol Venereol 2018 Feb 15;145(2):83-88. Epub 2017 Nov 15.

Dermatology unit, CHU A. le Dantec, Université Cheikh Anta Diop de Dakar, Dakar, Senegal.

Background: The cosmetic use of bleaching products is common among women from sub-Saharan Africa. The most frequently used products are highly potent corticosteroids (clobetasol propionate) and hydroquinone. Herein, we report 8 cases of SCC in women using skin bleaching products for cosmetic purposes. Read More

Mar Drugs 2017 Oct 20;15(10). Epub 2017 Oct 20.

School of Food Science and Biotechnology, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41566, Korea.

3,6-Anhydro-l-galactose (AHG), a major monomeric constituent of red macroalgae (), was recently reported to possess skin whitening activity. Moreover, AHG-containing oligosaccharides, such as agarooligosaccharides (AOSs) and neoagarooligosaccharides (NAOSs), have various physiological activities, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and skin moisturizing effects. In this study, AHG and NAOSs were produced from agarose by enzymatic reactions catalyzed by an endo-type β-agarase, an exo-type β-agarase, and a neoagarobiose hydrolase. Read More

J Am Acad Dermatol 2017 Oct;77(4):607-621

Department of Dermatology, Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, Michigan. Electronic address:

Postinflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) occurs after various dermatoses, exogenous stimuli, and dermatologic procedures. The clinical course of PIH is chronic and unpredictable, although the probability of resolution of epidermal hyperpigmentation is better than those of dermal hyperpigmentation. PIH can be prevented or alleviated. Read More

Biomed Res Int 2017 19;2017:8310979. Epub 2017 Jul 19.

Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Prince of Songkla University, Songkhla 90112, Thailand.

Ethosome formulations containing phenylethyl resorcinol (PR) were developed. The formulation was produced from 0.5% w/v PR, 0. Read More

Ann Dermatol Venereol 2018 Feb 8;145(2):100-103. Epub 2017 Aug 8.

Service de dermatologie, CNAM ex-institut Marchoux, BP 251, Bamako, Mali; Faculté de médecine et d'odontostomatologie, USTTB, Bamako, Mali.

Background: Women widely use skin-lightening products for cosmetic purposes in sub-Saharan Africa despite numerous reported cutaneous and systemic complications. The occurrence of epidermoid carcinoma has long been reported, but only three cases have been published so far. We report the first case in Mali. Read More

Sante Publique 2017 Apr;29(2):263-270

Introduction: Skin bleaching is a common practice in Africa, particularly in Cameroon. Studies show that it represents a danger for health, in terms of a demonstrated increased risk of dermatological diseases. However, increasing numbers of people are using skin bleaching in African cities, despite the fact that they are sometimes aware of the risk. Read More

Skin Pharmacol Physiol 2017 12;30(4):205-215. Epub 2017 Jul 12.

Cell Signaling and Metabolic Disease, National Institutes of Biomedical Innovation, Health and Nutrition, Ibaraki, Japan.

Cosmetic industries have an interest in exploring and developing materials that have the potential to regulate melanin synthesis in human skin. Although melanin protects the skin from ultraviolet irradiation, excess melanin can be undesirable, particularly on the face where spots or freckles are associated with an appearance of aging. In this study, we found that ent-11α-hydroxy-15-oxo-kaur-16-en-19-oic acid (11α-OH KA) in Pteris dispar Kunze strongly inhibited melanin synthesis by suppressing tyrosinase gene expression. Read More

J Ethnopharmacol 2017 Aug 8;208:149-156. Epub 2017 Jul 8.

Jilin Technology Innovation Center for Chinese Medicine Biotechnology, College of Biology and Chemistry, Beihua University, Jilin City, Jilin Province 132013, China. Electronic address:

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Hyperpigmentation disease involves darkening of the skin color due to melanin overproduction. Panax ginseng C.A. Read More

Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2017 09 4;490(4):1282-1286. Epub 2017 Jul 4.

Department of Dermatology and Institute of Health Sciences, School of Medicine, Gyeongsang National University & Hospital, Jinju, Republic of Korea. Electronic address:

Melanin pigments are the primary contributors for the skin color. They are produced in melanocytes and then transferred to keratinocytes, eventually giving various colors on skin surface. Although many depigmenting and/or skin-lightening agents have been developed, there is still a growing demand on materials for reducing pigmentation. Read More

J Cosmet Dermatol 2018 Apr 3;17(2):246-257. Epub 2017 Jul 3.

Arterra Bioscience srl, Napoli, Italy.

Background: Skin whitening products, used for ages by Asian people for cultural and esthetic purposes, are very popular nowadays in Western countries as well, where the need to inhibit skin spots after sun exposure has become not only a cosmetic but also a health-related issue. Thus, the development of effective and safe depigmenting agents derived from natural products gets continuous attention by cosmetic brands and consumers.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the effects of two preparations, obtained from the hairy root cultures of the species Brassica rapa, on melanogenesis and the expression of the extracellular matrix proteins involved in a correct pigment distribution. Read More

J Dermatol Sci 2017 Oct 7;88(1):96-102. Epub 2017 Jun 7.

Department of Biomedical Science, BK21-plus Research Team for Bioactive Control Technology, National Research Center for Dementia, College of Natural Sciences, Chosun University, Gwangju 61452, Republic of Korea. Electronic address:

Background: As interest in skin beauty increases, the development of new skin whitening agents has attracted substantial attention; however, the action mechanism of the agents developed so far remains largely unknown. Tranexamic acid (TXA) is commonly being used to reduce melanin synthesis in patients with melasma and also used as a raw material for functional whitening cosmetics, although its action mechanism is poorly understood. Autophagy has been well known to be essential for tissue homeostasis, adaptation to starvation, and removal of dysfunctional organelles or pathogens. Read More

Skin Pharmacol Physiol 2017 30;30(4):190-196. Epub 2017 Jun 30.

Amorepacific Corporation R&D Center, Yongin, Republic of Korea.

Background/aims: Excessive melanogenesis often causes unaesthetic hyperpigmentation. In a previous report, our group introduced a newly synthesized depigmentary agent, Melasolv™ (3,4,5-trimethoxycinnamate thymol ester). In this study, we demonstrated the significant whitening efficacy of Melasolv using various melanocytes and human skin equivalents as in vitro experimental systems. Read More

Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2017 08 3;27(15):3374-3377. Epub 2017 Jun 3.

College of Pharmacy and Medicinal Research Center (MRC), Chungbuk National University, Cheongju 28160, Republic of Korea. Electronic address:

We have disclosed our effort to develop caffeic acid derivatives as potent and non-toxic inhibitors of α-MSH-stimulated melanogenesis to treat pigmentation disorders and skin medication including a cosmetic skin-whitening agent. The SAR studies revealed that cyclohexyl ester and secondary amide derivatives of caffeic acid showed significant inhibitory activities. Read More

Contact Dermatitis 2017 Jul;77(1):51-53

Department of Dermatology, Kindai University Faculty of Medicine, Osaka-Sayama 589-8511, Japan.