EFFECTS OF NATURAL COMPOUNDS AS TOPICAL MELANOLYTIC AGENTS AND THEIR MECHANISM FOR THE TREATMENT OF HYPERPIGMENTATION

Gulafsha Kassab, Tasneem Husain and Sharique A. Ali*

ABSTRACT

Skin lightening products are available in the market for aesthetic purposes, and also for the treatment of depigmentation disorders, such as melasma and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. They work with multiple stages of melanin synthesis in the skin such as tyrosinase inhibitors, which have been the main enzymes associated in melanogenesis. Melanin is a pigment that determines skin colour and other phenotypic characteristics which also helps to protect the skin from UV radiation. But its excess production and distribution leads to hyperpigmentation and its related disorders. Several treatment strategies have been used to treat abnormal melanin or hyperpigmentation, including chemical peeling, dermabrasion, laser, topical treatment, etc. But skin burn, dyspigmentation, acne, swelling, pain etc. are some of the after-effects found associated with these treatment options. Hence there is a need to develop natural depigmenting agents for the treatment of abnormal skin pigmentation or depigmentation without any side effects. In the present review, we have discussed some of these plants and their active ingredients which have been successfully used for the treatment of hyperpigmentation. It provides an overview of natural whitening agents for the treatment of diminished skin pigmentation by interfering with pigmentary processes.

Keywords: Melanin, hyperpigmentation, Pigmentation, Whitening agents.