Mechanism, Formulation, and Efficacy Evaluation of Natural Products for Skin Pigmentation Treatment
Xueli Peng,
Yuning Ma,
Chenxin Yan,
Xiaocen Wei,
Linlin Zhang,
Hehe Jiang,
Yuxia Ma,
Suohui Zhang,
Mengzhen Xing,
Yunhua Gao
Affiliations
Xueli Peng
Qingdao Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Qingdao 266112, China
Yuning Ma
Key Laboratory of New Material Research Institute, Institute of Pharmacy, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan 250355, China
Chenxin Yan
Beijing CAS Microneedle Technology, Ltd., Beijing 102609, China
Xiaocen Wei
Key Laboratory of New Material Research Institute, Institute of Pharmacy, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan 250355, China
Linlin Zhang
Key Laboratory of New Material Research Institute, Institute of Pharmacy, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan 250355, China
Hehe Jiang
Key Laboratory of New Material Research Institute, Institute of Pharmacy, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan 250355, China
Yuxia Ma
Department of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Tuina, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan 250355, China
Suohui Zhang
Key Laboratory of Photochemical Conversion and Optoelectronic Materials, Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
Mengzhen Xing
Key Laboratory of New Material Research Institute, Institute of Pharmacy, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan 250355, China
Yunhua Gao
Qingdao Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Qingdao 266112, China
Skin pigmentation typically arises from the excessive secretion and accumulation of melanin, resulting in a darker complexion compared to normal skin. Currently, the local application of chemical drugs is a first-line strategy for pigmentation disorders, but the safety and efficacy of drugs still cannot meet clinical treatment needs. For long-term and safe medication, researchers have paid attention to natural products with higher biocompatibility. This article begins by examining the pathogenesis and treatment approaches of skin pigmentation diseases and summarizes the research progress and mechanism of natural products with lightening or whitening effects that are clinically common or experimentally proven. Moreover, we outline the novel formulations of natural products in treating pigmentation disorders, including liposomes, nanoparticles, microemulsions, microneedles, and tocosomes. Finally, the pharmacodynamic evaluation methods in the study of pigmentation disorder were first systematically analyzed. In brief, this review aims to collect natural products for skin pigmentation treatment and investigate their formulation design and efficacy evaluation to provide insights for the development of new products for this complex skin disease.
