The Journal of Phytopharmacology, 2020;9(1):54-60 DOI:10.31254/phyto.2020.9109
Plant-based skin lightening agents: A review
Nadzira Hanif1 , Abdulkareem Mohammed Ahmed AlShami1 , Kamarul Ariffin Khalid1 , Hazrina Ab Hadi2
1. International Islamic University Malaysia, Jalan Sultan Ahmad Shah, Bandar Indera Mahkota, 25200 Kuantan, Pahang Darul Makmur, Malaysia
2. Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Kulliyyah of Pharmacy International Islamic University Malaysia, 25200 Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Received: 17th December, 2019 / Published : 27th January, 2020
Hyperpigmentation is a skin disorder that occurs widely in the human population in which darkened patches or spots appear on the skin. Cosmetic products containing natural skin lightening agents are regarded as a safe alternative and effective approach to this hyperpigmentation problem. The review paper aims to discuss on some potential plant species with skin lightening properties by focusing on the presence of responsible bioactive compounds and their specific mechanisms of action in minimizing melanin production in hyperpigmentation problem. The finding shows that different bioactive compounds have various modes of action on melanin biosynthesis pathway including tyrosinase inhibition, melanosomes transfer inhibition, anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. Some plants with skin lightening activity contain several bioactive compounds which contribute to an enhancement of skin lightening effects and inhibition of hyperpigmentation. In conclusion, the screening of potential skin lightening ingredients from natural sources is very crucial process before formulation development for an effective skin lightening product.
Hyperpigmentation – Skin lightening – Tyrosinase inhibitor –Melanosomes transfer inhibitor – Antioxidant – Anti-inflammatory
HOW TO CITE THIS ARTICLE
Nadzira Hanif, Abdulkareem Mohammed Ahmed Al-Shami, Kamarul Ariffin Khalid, Hazrina Ab Hadi. Plant-based skin lightening agents: A review. J Phytopharmacol 2020; 9(1):54-60.
Creative Commons (CC) License-
This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY 4.0) license. This license permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited. (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
Copyright
Copyright © 2020 Author(s) retain the copyright of this article. This article is published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Liscense 4.0.