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Anti-melanogenic Effects of Kojic Acid and Hydroxycinnamic Acid Derivatives

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  • Biomedical Engineering
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Abstract

Melanin provides photoprotection against UV irradiation, but excessive melanin accumulation can cause several problems such as darkened skin, melasma, and freckles. Although many anti-melanogenic agents have been developed for skin-whitening cosmetics, safety issues have been raised regarding these products. As natural substances are often non-toxic and are considered by some to be safer than synthetic compounds, various attempts have been made to synthesize active derivatives from natural substances. In this study, we evaluated the anti-melanogenic effects of four synthesized derivatives (compound 2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d) of kojic and hydroxycinnamic acids which are natural anti-melanogenic substances. Three of these derivatives (2a, 2b, and 2c) inhibited tyrosinase, which catalyzes a rate-limiting step of melanogenesis. Additionally, cell viability and melanin formation were investigated using B16F10 melanoma cells. Compounds 2b and 2c exhibited cytotoxicity towards B16F10 melanoma cells, while compound 2a caused a significant decrease in melanin formation without cytotoxicity. Thus, compound 2a may be viable as a potent skin-whitening agent derived from natural compounds.

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Acknowledgements

This research was supported by a research grant of The University of Suwon in 2018.

The authors claim no conflict of interest to declare. Neither ethical approval nor informed consent was required for this study.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Chemical and Material Engineering, The University of Suwon, Hwaseong, 18323, Korea

    Miri Lee, Dong Hyun Kim, Ho Sik Rho & Kyungoh Choi

  2. Biological and Genetic Resources Assessment Division, National Institute of Biological Resources, Incheon, 22689, Korea

    Hye Yoon Park

  3. Department of Food Nutrition, The University of Suwon, Hwaseong, 18323, Korea

    Kyung Hoon Jung

Authors
  1. Miri Lee
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  2. Hye Yoon Park
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  3. Kyung Hoon Jung
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  4. Dong Hyun Kim
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  5. Ho Sik Rho
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  6. Kyungoh Choi
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Correspondence to Ho Sik Rho or Kyungoh Choi.

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Lee, M., Park, H.Y., Jung, K.H. et al. Anti-melanogenic Effects of Kojic Acid and Hydroxycinnamic Acid Derivatives. Biotechnol Bioproc E 25, 190–196 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12257-019-0421-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12257-019-0421-y

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