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eMediNexus 18 July 2020
Treating hyperpigmentation can be challenging and various modalities are needed to aid in the improvement of topical treatments. Cosmeceuticals are topical cosmetic-pharmaceutical hybrids containing biologically active ingredients that may improve the appearance of skin and are increasingly popular alternatives to standard agents. Among cosmeceuticals – plant-derived compounds known as phytochemicals, have been shown to have a multitude of cellular actions for various dermatological diseases.
The purpose of a review published in Botanics: Targets and Therapy was to examine the latest clinical studies using plant-derived compounds and their effectiveness in the management of hyperpigmentation disorders.
Flavonoids are naturally occurring phenolic phytochemicals that possess a host of biological properties, in vitro. Some phytochemicals and their mechanisms of action on various dermatological conditions have been enlisted below(scroll to right for full table view in mobile browsers):
Phytochemical | Plant Source | Pigment Disorder | Depigmenting Mechanism |
Arbutin | Bearberry, California buckeye, cranberry and blueberry | Solar lentigines | Inhibit tyrosinase and DHICA polymerase |
Alpha-Melight | Candeia tree bark | Dark spots | Rich in natural α-bisabolol that acts on melanocytes receptors to reduce irritation reactions Melanogenesis inhibition |
Niacinamide | Green vegetables, beans and cereal grains | hyperpigmented spots, fine lines and wrinkles, red blotchiness and skin sallowness (yellowing) | It is an amide of vitamin B3 (niacin) – has antipruritic, antimicrobial, vasoactive, photo-protective, sebostatic and lightening effects. Controls the NFκB-mediated transcription of signalling molecules by inhibiting the nuclear poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 (PARP-1) |
Alpha-bisabolol | Chamomile | UVA and UVB tanned skin (with solar simulator) | Inhibits alpha MSH-induced melanogenesis by suppressing cAMP |
Glabridin | Licorice | UVB-induced pigmentation | Inhibit tyrosinase |
Aldavine 5x | Ascophyllum Nodosum Extract and Asparagopsis Armata Extract | Dark circles, rosacea, spider veins, sensitive/irritated skin, sun burn, razor burn and after laser treatment | Inhibits VEGF, PGE2, MMP-2 and angiogenesis |
Lanachrys 2b | Chrysanthellum indicum | Reduces the appearance of under eye bags | Binds to alpha-2 receptor to activate lipolysis; scavenges free radicals |
Pterowhite | Pterocarpus Marsupium | Lightens skin tone and supports dyschromia management | Scavenges free radicals, exhibits good melanogenesis potential and protects from harmful UV rays |
Hesperidin | Citrus fruits | Lightens skin tone, UV protection | Inhibit tyrosinase; antioxidant of collagen; inhibit tyrosinase activity |
Silymarin | Silybum marianum (standardized extract) | Melasma | Inhibit l-DOPA oxidation activity of tyrosinase |
In summary, it was stated that a large variety of safe and effective skin-lightening botanicals exist as potential alternatives to current products, such as, hydroquinone. Natural extracts represent a large repository of ingredients for skin-lightening cosmeceuticals. Dermatologists and primary care physicians would benefit from familiarizing themselves with the evidence supporting or refuting the use of botanically derived products for hyperpigmentation treatment, as patients are becoming increasingly interested in natural alternatives.
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