[해외보도] 톳 추출물, 백반증 및 새치 개선을 위한 기능성 적용 가능성 제시

Sargassum fusiforme (S. fusiforme), or hijiki, could be applied in cosmetic products as a melanogenesis-inducer to tackle hypopigmentation disorders and improve hair greying, say South Korean researchers.

While hyperpigmentation causes dark spots and freckles, a lack of melanin can lead to skin diseases such as skin cancer and vitiligo, and hair follicular depigmentation.

S. fusiforme has been the subject of research for its repository of natural antioxidant compounds, including polyphenols, carotenoids and meroterpenoids, but its impact on melanogenesis has not been widely reported.

As such, South Korean researchers from BioSpectrum Life Science Institute conducted a study to investigate the effect of S. fusiforme extract (SFE) on melanin synthesis and its mechanism via both in vitro and ex vivo experiments.

It was found that SFE promoted melanin production through upregulation of microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF), resulting in increased expression of tyrosinase and tyrosinase-related protein 1 (TRP10), and the phosphorylation of cAMP-responsive element binding protein (CREB).