An article published in the Journal of Medicinal Chemistry discussed that melanin is a pigment that determine the skin, eye and hair color of the human subject to its amount, quality and distribution. Melanocytes synthesize melanin and provide epidermal protection from various stimuli, such as harmful ultraviolet radiation, through the complex process called melanogenesis. Serious dermatological problems occur when there is excessive production of melanin in different parts of the human body. These include freckles, melasma, senile lentigo, pigmented acne scars and cancer.

The authors stated that controlling the production of melanin is an important approach for the treatment of pigmentation related disorders. Hence, inhibitors of melanogenesis that directly/indirectly target a key enzyme tyrosinase as well as its associated signaling pathways could be useful modalities in treating disorders related to excessive melanin production.

Source: Journal of Medicinal Chemistry. 2018 Sep 13;61(17):7395-7418. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.7b00967.