Skin-Lightening Efficacy of Leatherleaf Fern Extract and a Leatherleaf Fern-Based Facial Serum In Vitro and Clinical...

Hyperpigmentation, caused by excessive melanin accumulation, is a significant cosmetic concern in dermatology. Natural compounds are receiving attention as safe and effective skin-lightening agents due to their antioxidant properties and ability to inhibit melanin synthesis.

To investigate the antioxidant and melanin biosynthesis inhibitory effects of leatherleaf fern water extract (LFWE) and the skin-lightening efficacy of a facial serum containing LFWE through in vitro and clinical trials: MATERIALS AND METHODS: The antioxidant and tyrosinase inhibitory activities of LFWE were confirmed in vitro, along with its inhibitory effects on factors involved in melanin biosynthesis. Its skin-lightening effects were then validated through clinical trials.

LFWE demonstrated excellent 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl and ABTS cation radical scavenging activity and inhibited mushroom tyrosinase activity in a concentration-dependent manner. LFWE also suppressed melanin biosynthesis in B16-F10 melanoma cells without toxicity up to 500 μg/mL and significantly inhibited the protein expression levels of tyrosinase, TRP-1, and TRP-2, which promote melanin production. Clinical trials of a serum containing LFWE showed that it reduced the melanin index after 4 and 8 weeks, thereby confirming its skin-lightening effects.

LFWE exerts excellent antioxidant effects and inhibits the expression of factors involved in melanin biosynthesis, thereby demonstrating skin-lightening effects. Moreover, LFWE-containing serum significantly reduced melanin indices in clinical trials.