Modulation of melanogenesis by aloesin: a competitive inhibitor of tyrosinase
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Updated: Sep 29, 2026

Quantification of Hypopigmentation Activity In Vitro
Published on: March 6, 2019
Ken Jones1, Jennifer Hughes, Mei Hong
1Univera Pharmaceuticals Inc., Broomfield, CO 80021, USA. ken@aloecorp.com
Abstract:
Aloesin, [2-acetonyl-8-beta-d-glucopyranosyl-7-hydroxy-5-methylchromone], a compound isolated from the Aloe plant, is shown in these studies to modulate melanogenesis via competitive inhibition of tyrosinase. Aloesin inhibits purified tyrosinase enzyme and specifically inhibits melanin production in vitro. Enzyme kinetics studies using normal human melanocyte cell lysates and cell-based melanin production demonstrated that aloesin is a competitive inhibitor of tyrosinase from mushroom, human and murine sources. Tyrosine hydroxylase and 3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (DOPA) oxidase activities of tyrosinase from normal human melanocyte cell lysates were inhibited by aloesin in a dose dependent manner. In a percutaneous absorption study a finite dose of aloesin penetrated the skin slowly and was recovered primarily in the surface wash. Aloesin shows promise as a pigmentation-altering agent for cosmetic or therapeutic applications.
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