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Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Aug 2014Fermented broth has a long history of applications in the food, pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries. Recently, the use of fermented broth in skin care products is in... (Review)
Review
Fermented broth has a long history of applications in the food, pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries. Recently, the use of fermented broth in skin care products is in ascendance. This review investigates the efficacy of fermented broth in inhibiting tyrosinase and melanogenesis. Possible active ingredients and hypopigmentation mechanisms of fermented broth are discussed, and potential applications of fermented broth in the cosmetic industry are also addressed.
Topics: Culture Media; Fermentation; Humans; Melanins; Monophenol Monooxygenase
PubMed: 25255749
DOI: 10.3390/molecules190913122 -
Environmental Health and Preventive... May 2019Melanin is detectable in various sense organs including the skin in animals. It has been reported that melanin adsorbs toxic elements such as mercury, cadmium, and lead....
BACKGROUND
Melanin is detectable in various sense organs including the skin in animals. It has been reported that melanin adsorbs toxic elements such as mercury, cadmium, and lead. In this study, we investigated the adsorption of molybdenum, which is widely recognized as a toxic element, by melanin.
METHODS
Molybdenum level of the mouse skin was measured by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. The pigmentation level of murine skin was digitalized as the L* value by using a reflectance spectrophotometer. An in vitro adsorption assay was performed to confirm the interaction between molybdenum and melanin.
RESULTS
Our analysis of hairless mice with different levels of skin pigmentation showed that the level of molybdenum increased with an increase in the level of skin pigmentation (L* value). Moreover, our analysis by Spearman's correlation coefficient test showed a strong correlation (r = - 0.9441, p < 0.0001) between L* value and molybdenum level. Our cell-free experiment using the Langmuir isotherm provided evidence for the adsorption of molybdenum by melanin. The maximum adsorption capacity of 1 mg of synthetic melanin for molybdenum was 131 μg in theory.
CONCLUSION
Our in vivo and in vitro results showed a new aspect of melanin as an adsorbent of molybdenum.
Topics: Adsorption; Animals; Melanins; Mice; Mice, Hairless; Mice, Transgenic; Molybdenum; Skin; Skin Pigmentation; Water Pollutants, Chemical
PubMed: 31101002
DOI: 10.1186/s12199-019-0791-y -
MBio Oct 2019Melanin is an antioxidant polyphenol pigment required for the pathogenicity of many fungal pathogens, but comprehensive regulatory mechanisms remain unidentified. In...
Melanin is an antioxidant polyphenol pigment required for the pathogenicity of many fungal pathogens, but comprehensive regulatory mechanisms remain unidentified. In this study, we systematically analyzed melanin-regulating signaling pathways in and identified four melanin-regulating core transcription factors (TFs), Bzp4, Usv101, Mbs1, and Hob1, required for induction of the laccase gene (). Bzp4, Usv101, and Mbs1 independently regulate induction, whereas Hob1 controls Bzp4 and Usv101 expression. Both Bzp4 and Usv101 are localized in the cytoplasm under nutrient-rich conditions (i.e., in the presence of yeast extract-peptone-dextrose [YPD] medium) but translocate into the nucleus upon nutrient starvation (i.e., in the presence of yeast nitrogen base [YNB] medium without glucose), and Mbs1 is constitutively localized in the nucleus. Notably, the cAMP pathway is not involved in regulation of the four TFs, but the high-osmolarity glycerol response (HOG) pathway negatively regulates induction of and Next, we searched for potential kinases upstream of the core TFs and identified nine core kinases; their deletion led to defective melanin production and induction. Deletion of or abolished induction of and and perturbed nuclear translocation of Bzp4. Notably, Gsk3 also regulated expression of , , and , indicating that it is a critical melanin-regulating kinase. Finally, an RNA sequencing-based transcriptome analysis of the wild-type strain and of Δ, Δ, Δ, and Δ strains under nutrient-rich and nutrient-starved conditions revealed that the melanin-regulating core TFs govern redundant and distinct classes of genes involved in a variety of biological processes. Melanins are dark green, brown, or black pigments that serve as antioxidant, reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavengers that protect fungal pathogens from radiation and host immune responses. , the major etiological agent of fungal meningoencephalitis, also utilizes melanin as a key virulence factor. In this basidiomycete pathogen, melanin production is regulated by the cAMP and high-osmolarity glycerol response (HOG) pathways, and yet its complex signaling networks remain poorly described. In this study, we uncovered novel melanin synthesis regulatory networks consisting of core transcription factors (TFs), including Bzp4, Usv101, Hob1, and Mbs1, and core kinases Gsk3 and Kic1. These networks were identified through coupling systematic analyses of the expression and epistatic relationships of TF and kinase mutant libraries in the presence of diverse melanin substrates with transcriptome profiling of the core TF mutants. Thus, this report provides comprehensive insight into the melanin-regulating pathways in and other fungal pathogens.
Topics: Cryptococcus neoformans; Gene Expression Profiling; Gene Expression Regulation, Fungal; Laccase; Melanins; Protein Kinases; Signal Transduction; Transcription Factors
PubMed: 31575776
DOI: 10.1128/mBio.02267-19 -
Basic & Clinical Pharmacology &... Jun 2017The biological pigment melanin is present in most of the biological systems. It manifests a host of biological and pharmacological properties. Its role as a molecule... (Review)
Review
The biological pigment melanin is present in most of the biological systems. It manifests a host of biological and pharmacological properties. Its role as a molecule with special properties and functions affecting general health, including photoprotective and immunological action, are well recognized. Its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, radioprotective, hepatic, gastrointestinal and hypoglycaemic benefits have only recently been recognized and studied. It is also associated with certain disorders of the nervous system. In this MiniReview, we consider the steadily increasing literature on the bioavailability and functional activity of melanin. Published literature shows that melanin may play a number of possible pharmacological effects such as protective, stimulatory, diagnostic and curative roles in human health. In this MiniReview, possible health roles and pharmacological effects are considered.
Topics: Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Anticarcinogenic Agents; Antioxidants; Gastrointestinal Tract; Humans; Immune System; Liver; Melanins; Radiation-Protective Agents; Sunscreening Agents
PubMed: 28027430
DOI: 10.1111/bcpt.12748 -
Cell Biochemistry and Biophysics Jun 2020It is believed that while eumelanin plays photoprotective and antioxidant role in pigmented tissues, pheomelanin being more photoreactive could behave as a phototoxic...
It is believed that while eumelanin plays photoprotective and antioxidant role in pigmented tissues, pheomelanin being more photoreactive could behave as a phototoxic agent. Although the metal ion-sequestering ability of melanin might be protective, transition metal ions present in natural melanins could affect their physicochemical properties. The aim of this research was to study iron binding by pheomelanin and analyze how such a binding affects selected properties of the melanin. Synthetic pheomelanin (CDM), prepared by enzymatic oxidation of DOPA in the presence of cysteine was analyzed by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy, spectrophotometry, chemical analysis, and time-resolved measurements of singlet oxygen phosphorescence. Iron broadened EPR signal of melanin and increased its optical absorption. Iron bound to melanin exhibited EPR signal at g = 4.3, typical for high-spin iron (III). Iron bound to melanin significantly altered the kinetics of melanin photodegradation, which in turn modified the accessibility and stability of the melanin-iron complexes as indicated by the release of iron from melanin induced by diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid and KCN. Although bound to melanin iron little affects initial stages of photodegradation of CDM, the effect of iron becomes more pronounced at later stages of melanin photolysis.
Topics: Brain; Cysteine; Dihydroxyphenylalanine; Electron Spin Resonance Spectroscopy; Epidermis; Humans; Iron; Kinetics; Melanins; Oxidation-Reduction; Oxygen; Photochemistry; Photolysis; Singlet Oxygen
PubMed: 32451722
DOI: 10.1007/s12013-020-00918-1 -
Cells Jun 2022Melanocytes produce melanin to protect the skin from UV-B radiation. Notwithstanding, the spectrum of their functions extends far beyond their well-known role as melanin... (Review)
Review
Melanocytes produce melanin to protect the skin from UV-B radiation. Notwithstanding, the spectrum of their functions extends far beyond their well-known role as melanin production factories. Melanocytes have been considered as sensory and computational cells. The neurotransmitters, neuropeptides, and other hormones produced by melanocytes make them part of the skin's well-orchestrated and complex neuroendocrine network, counteracting environmental stressors. Melanocytes can also actively mediate the epidermal immune response. Melanocytes are equipped with ectopic sensory systems similar to the eye and nose and can sense light and odor. The ubiquitous inner circadian rhythm controls the body's basic physiological processes. Light not only affects skin photoaging, but also regulates inner circadian rhythms and communicates with the local neuroendocrine system. Do melanocytes "see" light and play a unique role in photoentrainment of the local circadian clock system? Why, then, are melanocytes responsible for so many mysterious functions? Do these complex functional devices work to maintain homeostasis locally and throughout the body? In addition, melanocytes have also been shown to be localized in internal sites such as the inner ear, brain, and heart, locations not stimulated by sunlight. Thus, what can the observation of extracutaneous melanocytes tell us about the "secret identity" of melanocytes? While the answers to some of these intriguing questions remain to be discovered, here we summarize and weave a thread around available data to explore the established and potential roles of melanocytes in the biological communication of skin and systemic homeostasis, and elaborate on important open issues and propose ways forward.
Topics: Circadian Rhythm; Epidermis; Melanins; Melanocytes; Skin
PubMed: 35805166
DOI: 10.3390/cells11132082 -
Journal of Biomedical Optics Mar 2023Melanin and hemoglobin have been measured as important diagnostic indicators of facial skin conditions for aesthetic and diagnostic purposes. Commercial clinical...
SIGNIFICANCE
Melanin and hemoglobin have been measured as important diagnostic indicators of facial skin conditions for aesthetic and diagnostic purposes. Commercial clinical equipment provides reliable analysis results, but it has several drawbacks: exclusive to the acquisition system, expensive, and computationally intensive.
AIM
We propose an approach to alleviate those drawbacks using a deep learning model trained to solve the forward problem of light-tissue interactions. The model is structurally extensible for various light sources and cameras and maintains the input image resolution for medical applications.
APPROACH
A facial image is divided into multiple patches and decomposed into melanin, hemoglobin, shading, and specular maps. The outputs are reconstructed into a facial image by solving the forward problem over skin areas. As learning progresses, the difference between the reconstructed image and input image is reduced, resulting in the melanin and hemoglobin maps becoming closer to their distribution of the input image.
RESULTS
The proposed approach was evaluated on 30 subjects using the professional clinical system, VISIA VAESTRO. The correlation coefficients for melanin and hemoglobin were found to be 0.932 and 0.857, respectively. Additionally, this approach was applied to simulated images with varying amounts of melanin and hemoglobin.
CONCLUSION
The proposed approach showed high correlation with the clinical system for analyzing melanin and hemoglobin distribution, indicating its potential for accurate diagnosis. Further calibration studies using clinical equipment can enhance its diagnostic ability. The structurally extensible model makes it a promising tool for various image acquisition conditions.
Topics: Humans; Melanins; Deep Learning; Skin; Face; Hemoglobins
PubMed: 36992693
DOI: 10.1117/1.JBO.28.3.035001 -
Biotechnology and Applied Biochemistry Jun 2022Synthetic derivatives are currently used instead of pigments in many applicative fields, from food to feed, from pharmaceutical to diagnostic, from agronomy to industry.... (Review)
Review
Synthetic derivatives are currently used instead of pigments in many applicative fields, from food to feed, from pharmaceutical to diagnostic, from agronomy to industry. Progress in organic chemistry allowed to obtain rather cheap compounds covering the whole color spectrum. However, several concerns arise from this chemical approach, as it is mainly based on nonrenewable resources such as fossil oil, and the toxicity or carcinogenic properties of products and/or precursors may be harmful for personnel involved in the productive processes. In this scenario, microorganisms and their pigments represent a colorful world to discover and reconsider. Each living bacterial strain may be a source of secondary metabolites with peculiar functions. The aim of this review is to link the physiological role of bacterial pigments with their potential use in different biotechnological fields. This enormous potential supports the big challenge for the development of strategies useful to identify, produce, and purify the right pigment for the desired application. At the end of this ideal journey through the world of bacterial pigments, the attention will be focused on melanin compounds, whose production relies upon different techniques ranging from natural producers, heterologous hosts, or isolated enzymes. In a green workflow, the microorganisms represent the starting and final point of pigment production.
Topics: Bacteria; Biotechnology; Melanins; Pigments, Biological
PubMed: 33870552
DOI: 10.1002/bab.2170 -
Scientific Reports Nov 2022Pump-probe imaging was first used for quantitative analysis of melanin in dark circles' skin to improve the ability to diagnose and treat dark circles on human skin....
Pump-probe imaging was first used for quantitative analysis of melanin in dark circles' skin to improve the ability to diagnose and treat dark circles on human skin. This study aimed to compare the distribution characteristics in melanin of lower eyelid skin tissues and to determine whether pump-probe imaging has potential for the classification of dark circles in vivo. Specimens obtained from 15 patients undergoing blepharoplasty were examined using pump-probe imaging. Furthermore, adjacent slices were respectively treated with hematoxylin-eosin (HE) and ferrous sulfate (FeSO) staining for cross-references. Subsequently, the melanin content index (MCI) and mean fluorescence intensity (MFI) were quantitatively analyzed by the pump-probe imaging. The distribution of melanin granules in the pump-probe image and FeSO staining was consistent. Meanwhile, the tissues of the skin with dark circles and normal skin demonstrated significant differences in MCI and MFI. These differences can be used to distinguish the skin with dark circles from the normal skin. Pump-probe imaging could be used for the analysis of the microstructure and spectral characteristics of melanin granules in skin with dark circles. Significant differences were noted between the pigmented type of dark circles and the other two groups (normal skin and the vascular type of dark circles), while no significant differences were found between normal skin and the vascular type of dark circles.
Topics: Humans; Melanins; Skin; Eyelids; Diagnostic Imaging
PubMed: 36329126
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-21131-5 -
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology Jul 2022Few cosmetic ingredients are shown to be able to safely remove or lighten facial dark spots once they have formed. OG has been reported to possess oxidation power and...
BACKGROUND
Few cosmetic ingredients are shown to be able to safely remove or lighten facial dark spots once they have formed. OG has been reported to possess oxidation power and exhibit various biological activities such as antibacterial, antiviral, and wound healing promotion.
AIMS
This study aimed to clarify the effects of OG on human skin, especially on age spots on the face.
METHODS
OG formulations (80 and 800 ppm) were mixed with synthetic melanin in vitro for 4 weeks and then assessed for its ability to degrade the melanin. OG also investigated its effect on gene expression of keratinocyte differentiation markers in vitro to explore the cell maturation. In clinical study for the evaluation of effects of OG formulations on age spots on facial skin, 48 women were measured for the melanin content of them by a Mexameter at 4 and 8 weeks after daily twice application of OG formulations. Adverse events were monitored during the study.
RESULTS
Both OG formulations showed direct melanin degradation in a time-dependent manner, with significant effects observed as early as 6 h. OG formulation at 800 ppm showed higher activity than OG formulation at 80 ppm, and the amount of melanin was decreased by about 40% on Day 14 of the mixing reaction. Differentiation marker studies using human keratinocytes showed that the gene expression of involucrin and serine palmitoyltransferase was upregulated by OG, which was almost equivalent concentration to OG formulation 80 ppm, suggesting that OGs can enhance turnover of the skin epidermis. In clinical study, OG formulations 80 and 800 ppm showed larger decreases in melanin contents at 8 weeks compared with those at 4 weeks and their mean values of △melanin index were -16.7 and -15.2, respectively. Statistically significant differences were detected against respective controls. Number of subjects with a decrease in melanin index from baseline to 4 or 8 weeks increased in both OG formulations 80 and 800 ppm, especially prominent at 8 weeks. There were no adverse events related to treatments of OG 80 and 800 ppm during the study.
CONCLUSION
The result indicated that applications of OG formulations are safe and effective in lightening age spots on the facial skin.
Topics: Child, Preschool; Cosmetics; Face; Female; Glycerol; Humans; Infant; Melanins; Skin
PubMed: 35435300
DOI: 10.1111/jocd.15002