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Cellular Lysosomes’ Activity for Melanin Reduction on Artifcial Skin Tissue

Dong Jun Park, Gyeongchan Jeon, Seung Hyuck Bang, Sang Yong Kim, Ji‑Hyang Wee, Yang‑Hoon Kim, Jiho Min
Abstract

All eukaryotes have lysosomes which contain hydrolytic enzymes such as protease to degrade waste materials and cellular fragments. As a cellular organelle, lysosomes function as the digestive system of the cell, serving both to degrade material taken up from outside the cell and to digest obsolete components of the cell itself. Conversely, melanin has photochemical functions to protect tissue from the harmful effects of ultraviolet rays. However, too much of melanin leads to problems such as hyperpigmentation, requiring materials to maintain and control the amount of melanin. In this study, we found evidence of correlation between lysosome and melanin in a new eco-friendly material, MelanoDerm, a reconstituted 3D human skin model containing normal melanocytes and keratinocytes. Melanin content assay and cell viability were measured, using 2% kojic acid as positive control, while MelanoDerm was exposed to various concentrations of lysosome. Our results indicate that lysosome may be a useful cosmetic agent for the treatment of hyperpigmentation.

Keywords

MelanoDerm (MEL-300-B), Lysosomes, Melanin content, Lysosomal enzyme, Lysosome, Melanin reduction, skin lightening, H2O2, kojic acid, hyperpigmentation

Materials Tested

H2O2, kojic acid, Lysosomes, Lysosomal enzyme

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