• Genomics & Informatics
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.43.1-43.13
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• 2023

Melanin is synthesized by tyrosinase to protect the skin from ultraviolet light. However, overproduction and accumulation of melanin can result in hyperpigmentation and skin melanoma. Tyrosinase inhibitors are commonly used in the treatment of hyperpigmentation. Natural tyrosinase inhibitors are often favoured over synthetic ones due to the potential side effects of the latter, which can include skin irritation, allergies, and other adverse reactions. Nuciferine, an alkaloid derived from Nelumbo nucifera, exhibits potent antioxidant and anti-proliferative properties. This study focused on the in silico screening of nuciferine for anti-tyrosinase activity, using kojic acid, ascorbic acid, and resorcinol as standards. The tyrosinase protein target was selected through homology modeling. The residues of the substrate binding pocket and active site pockets were identified for the purposes of grid box optimization and docking. Therefore, nuciferine is a potent natural tyrosinase inhibitor and shows promising potential for application in the treatment of hyperpigmentation and skin melanoma.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.35-40
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• 2014

Resveratrol is a polyphenolic compound found in various natural products such as grapes and berries and possesses anti-cancer, anti-hyperlipidemia, and anti-aging properties. Recently, it has been reported that resveratrol inhibits ${\alpha}$-melanocyte-stimulating hormone signaling, viability, and migration in melanoma cells. However, these effects have not been confirmed in vivo, specifically brownish guinea pigs. To evaluate the potential of resveratrol as a regulator of melanin for hyperpigmentation therapy, the influence of resveratrol on pigmentation was investigated by ultraviolet B-induced hyperpigmentation in brownish guinea pig skin. We found that resveratrol reduced the expression of melanogenesis-related proteins tyrosinase, tyrosinase-related proteins 1 and 2, and microphthalmia-associated transcription factor in melanoma cells. Furthermore, topical application of resveratrol was demonstrated to significantly decrease hyperpigmentation on ultraviolet B-stimulated guinea pig skin in vivo. Based on our histological data, resveratrol inhibits melanin synthesis via a reduction in tyrosinase-related protein 2 among the melanogenic enzymes. This study is the first to provide evidence supporting resveratrol as a depigmentation agent, along with further clinical investigation of resveratrol in ultraviolet B-induced skin disorders such as hyperpigmentation and skin photoaging.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.1-13
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• 2014

Objective : The purpose of this study is to understand conspicuous features of geroderma with visceral manifestation theory(臟象論). Methods : We categorized skin aging into wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, dry skin and face flush. After investigating the reason, histological changes and mechanism of each classification in western medicine, we interpreted them according to the malfunction of five viscera(五臟) in Korean medicine. Result : The results are as follows. 1. Pathologic change of dermis and subcutaneous fat makes wrinkles. We consider wrinkles as the malfunction of the spleen(脾). 2. Irregular synthesis and disproportion of melanin makes hyperpigmentation. We consider hyperpigmentation as the malfunction of the liver(肝). 3. Dry skin is attributed to a subtle disorder of epidermal maturation. We consider dry skin as the malfunction of the lung(肺). 4. Facial flush is detected in rosacea and menopausal hot flush, which are both related with blood vessel abnormality. We consider facial flush as the malfunction of the heart(心) Conclusion : We interpreted the pathologic changes and mechanism of skin aging in western medicine as the decrease of five viscera(五臟) in visceral manifestation theory(臟象論) of Korean medicine. Further studies are needed to apply these hypothesis to clinical diagnosis and treatment.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.38 no.6
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• pp.765-774
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• 2011

Purpose: Many facial burn patients suffer from hyperpigmentation and its treatment has been challenging. Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) has important physiologic effects on skin, including inhibition of melanogenesis, promotion of collagen biosynthesis, prevention of free radical formation, and acceleration on wound healing. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of Vitamin C iontophoresis for the treatment of postburn hyperpigmentation. Methods: The authors performed a retrospective analysis of 93 patients who were admitted for the treatment of facial burn from February 2008 through February 2010. Among them, 51 patients were treated with Vitamin C iontophoresis to control postburn hyperpigmentation and 42 patients were not. Experimental group was chosen 20 of 51 patients who had been treated with Vitamin C iontophoresis and had normal facial skin on the comparable contralateral aesthetic unit. Control group was chosen 20 of 42 patients who were not treated with Vitamin C iontophoresis and had also contralateral normal aesthetic unit. The resulting color of 20 patients who were treated with Vitamin C iontophoresis was compared with the color of the contralateral normal facial skin using a digital scale color analysis. Results were analyzed with Wilcoxon signed rank test. Results: The analysis revealed significant improvement of hyperpigmentation in the experimental group compared to control group. The difference of intial value and the value in 6 months showed significant change. Mean (${\Delta}^{initial}$-${\Delta}^{6month}$) of experimental group was 11.61 and control group was 7.23. Thus, the difference between the experimental group and the control group was 4.38. Therefore, Vitamin C iontophoresis revealed significant improvement of hyperpigmentation in the experimental group compared with control group. Conclusion: Vitamin C iontophoresis is an effective treatment modality for postburn hyperpigmentation.

• Medical Lasers
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.87-89
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• 2019

Post inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) is a reactive hypermelanosis of the skin that occurs as a result of various inflammatory responses such as surgical procedure, trauma, and many inflammatory conditions. There are several reported studies of various modality in managing PIH. However, the treatment of PIH can prove to be challenging. In this report, we treated a patient with PIH using picosecond-domain Nd:YAG lasers. After ten sessions of 1,064-nm picosecond-domain Nd:YAG laser treatment, the patient presented considerable improvement with no remarkable side effects or recurrence over the duration of 6 months. We suggest that a 1,064-nm picosecond-domain Nd:YAG laser can be effectively and safely used for treating pigmented lesions resulting from surgical procedure in the skin of Asian patients.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.85-93
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• 2016

We already reported that genetically engineered resveratrol-enriched rice (RR) showed to down-regulate skin melanogenesis. To be developed to increase the bioactivity of RR using calli from plants, RR was adopted for mass production using plant tissue culture technologies. In addition, high-pressure homogenization (HPH) was used to increase the biocompatibility and penetration of the calli from RR into the skin. We aimed to develop anti-melanogenic agents incorporating calli of RR (cRR) and nanoparticles by high-pressure homogenization, examining the synergistic effects on the inhibition of UVB-induced hyperpigmentation. Depigmentation was observed following topical application of micro-cRR, nano-calli of normal rice (cNR), and nano-cRR to ultraviolet B (UVB)-stimulated hyperpigmented guinea pig dorsal skin. Colorimetric analysis, tyrosinase immunostaining, and Fontana-Masson staining for UVB-promoted melanin were performed. Nano-cRR inhibited changes in the melanin color index caused by UVB-promoted hyperpigmentation, and demonstrated stronger anti-melanogenic potential than micro-cRR. In epidermal skin, nano-cRR repressed UVB-promoted melanin granules, thereby suppressing hyperpigmentation. The UVB-enhanced, highly expressed tyrosinase in the basal layer of the epidermis was inhibited by nano-cRR more prominently than by micro-cRR and nano-cNR. The anti-melanogenic potency of nano-cRR also depended on pH and particle size. Nano-cRR shows promising potential to regulate skin pigmentation following UVB exposure.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.1-6
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• 2015

Abnormal changes in skin color induce significant cosmetic problems and affect quality of life. There are two groups of abnormal change in skin color; hyperpigmentation and hypopigmentation. Hyperpigmentation, darkening skin color by excessive pigmentation, is a major concern for Asian people with yellowe-brown skin. A variety of hypopigmenting agents have been used, but treating the hyperpigmented condition is still challenging and the results are often discouraging. Panax ginseng has been used traditionally in eastern Asia to treat various diseases, due to its immunomodulatory, neuroprotective, antioxidative, and antitumor activities. Recently, several reports have shown that extract, powder, or some constituents of ginseng could inhibit melanogenesis in vivo or in vitro. The underlying mechanisms of antimelanogenic properties in ginseng or its components include the direct inhibition of key enzymes of melanogenesis, inhibition of transcription factors or signaling pathways involved in melanogenesis, decreasing production of inducers of melanogenesis, and enhancing production of antimelanogenic factor. Although there still remain some controversial issues surrounding the antimelanogenic activity of ginseng, especially in its effect on production of proinflammatory cytokines and nitric oxide, these recent findings suggest that ginseng and its constituents might be potential candidates for novel skin whitening agents.

• Medical Lasers
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.187-189
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• 2020

Cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) is a material that generates free radicals through the ionization of air. Despite the application in various medical fields, the efficacy and safety of CAP on post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation due to atopic dermatitis have not been reported. Herein, we report the improvement in post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation of atopic dermatitis, after CAP treatment of three sessions weekly, 10 minutes per session. We examined the clinical severity indexes before and after treatment, including the Investigator's Global Assessment, modified Atopic Dermatitis Antecubital Severity, Eczema Area and Severity Index, and pruritus visual analogue scores. Our results indicate that CAP alleviates the post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation and clinical severity of atopic dermatitis, and effectively improves the atopic skin lesion without severe safety issues. We believe that the previously reported anti-bacterial effects and production of interleukin-6 after CAP treatment are probably responsible for the underlying mechanisms leading to clinical improvement.

• Medical Lasers
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.49-51
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• 2021

The perioral region, which is one of the most conspicuous parts of the face, plays a significant role in interpersonal communication. However, the perioral region is highly susceptible to scarring and pigmentation and is difficult to treat. The causes of perioral hyperpigmentation are many, including physiologic reasons, systemic diseases, drugs, and infections. In the treatment of perioral hyperpigmentation, the cause of the disease must be diagnosed first. Management includes lifestyle modifications such as reducing the UVA exposure time, use of topical treatments including hydroquinone and retinoids, and physical therapy including laser therapy. We report a case of perioral hyperpigmentation treated with 1,064-nm Q-switched neodymium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet laser toning.

• Medical Lasers
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.32-34
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• 2019

Postinflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) is a reactive hypermelanosis of the skin that occurs as a result of variable inflammatory processes, such as trauma, and many inflammatory conditions. Although a range of modalities of managing PIH have been reported, the treatment of PIH is challenging. In this report, a patient with PIH was treated using picosecond-domain Nd:YAG lasers. After three sessions of 1,064-nm picosecond-domain Nd:YAG laser treatment, the patient showed almost complete improvement with no remarkable side effects or recurrence over the duration of six months. Overall, 1,064-nm picosecond-domain Nd:YAG laser can be used effectively and safely for treating pigmented lesions in the dermis, particularly PIH, in Asian patients.