Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 29, 2026
07:59
A Customizable Approach for the Enzymatic Production and Purification of Diterpenoid Natural Products
Published on: October 4, 2019
10.3K
Biological Roles of Melanin and Natural Product-Derived Approaches for Its Modulation
Sunghyun Hong1, Hanbin Lim1, Do-Hee Kim1
1Department of Chemistry, Kyonggi University, Suwon 16227, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea.
International Journal of Molecular Sciences
|January 28, 2026
Summary
Natural products can regulate skin pigmentation by influencing melanin production pathways. These compounds offer potential for managing pigmentary disorders, but require further research for safe and effective use.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology and Cosmetology
- Natural Product Chemistry
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Melanin, produced by melanocytes, is crucial for photoprotection, antioxidant defense, immune function, and skin health.
- Dysregulation of melanin production is linked to various pigmentary disorders.
- Natural products offer potential strategies for modulating melanogenesis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the biological functions of melanin.
- To examine natural product-based strategies for regulating melanogenesis.
- To highlight the therapeutic potential and challenges of natural compounds in pigmentation management.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies on melanin biology and natural product interactions.
- Analysis of mechanisms by which natural products affect melanogenesis (e.g., tyrosinase activity, signaling pathways, redox balance).
- Evaluation of evidence for both anti-melanogenic and pro-pigmenting effects of natural compounds.
Main Results:
- Natural products modulate melanogenesis via tyrosinase activity, signaling pathways (ERK/MAPK, cAMP/PKA/CREB), and redox balance.
- Phytochemicals, ginseng metabolites, and polyphenols exhibit anti-melanogenic effects through various mechanisms.
- Certain compounds can stimulate pigmentation, indicating a context-dependent influence.
Conclusions:
- Natural products represent a promising avenue for therapeutic interventions in pigmentation disorders.
- Further research is needed to clarify mechanisms, ensure safety, and enable clinical translation.
- Advanced delivery systems can enhance the efficacy of natural compounds for topical application.
Related Concept Videos
01:27Role of Water in Human Biology
13.1K
Water is the one of the most significant components of the human body; it plays a crucial role in several physiological activities because of its unique physicochemical properties. Importantly, it helps to regulate body temperature and is the chief component of several body fluids.
Water's Solvent Properties
Since water is a polar molecule with slightly positive and slightly negative charges, ions and polar molecules can readily dissolve in it. Therefore, it is referred to as a solvent, a...
Water's Solvent Properties
Since water is a polar molecule with slightly positive and slightly negative charges, ions and polar molecules can readily dissolve in it. Therefore, it is referred to as a solvent, a...
13.1K
01:57What is Conservation Biology?
24.3K
Conservation biology is a scientific field that focuses on the preservation of biodiversity in order to protect ecosystems while meeting the needs of the human population. Humans require properly functioning ecosystems to maintain our supply of natural resources, including food, medicines, and building materials.
24.3K
01:28Drug Products: Biologics, Biosimilars and Interchangeables
251
Body:Biologics, derived from living sources such as humans, animals, or microorganisms, represent a significant category of pharmaceuticals. These complex molecules, developed through advanced biotechnological methods or purified from natural sources, include essential medical treatments like insulin and growth hormones. The complexity of biologics arises from their large molecular structures and the intricate processes required for their production, making them distinct from conventional...
251
01:32What is Natural Selection?
128.5K
Natural selection is an evolutionary process in which individuals with survival-promoting traits reproduce at higher rates. These favorable traits become more common within a population or species. Naturally selected traits initially arise via random genetic mutations. In order for selection to occur, there must be variation within a population, the trait controlling the variation must be heritable, and there must be an evolutionary advantage for variation in the trait.
128.5K
01:10Nature and Nurture
22.3K
Many human characteristics, like height, are shaped by both nature—in other words, by our genes—and by nurture, or our environment. For example, chronic stress during childhood inhibits the production of growth hormones and consequently reduces bone growth and height. Scientists estimate that 70-90% of variation in height is due to genetic differences among individuals, and 10-30% of variation in height is due to differences in the environments that individuals experience,...
22.3K
02:59Biological Effects of Radiation
17.8K
All radioactive nuclides emit high-energy particles or electromagnetic waves. When this radiation encounters living cells, it can cause heating, break chemical bonds, or ionize molecules. The most serious biological damage results when these radioactive emissions fragment or ionize molecules. For example, α and β particles emitted from nuclear decay reactions possess much higher energies than ordinary chemical bond energies. When these particles strike and penetrate matter, they...
17.8K