The Inhibitory Effect of Phytoclear-EL1 on Melanogenesis.
BACKGROUND
Phytoclear-EL1, an extract from Euphorbia lathyris seeds, has a whitening effect due to inhibition of tyrosinase activity.


OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to investigate the inhibitory effect of phytoclear-EL1 on melanogenesis.


METHODS
Cultured B-16 melanoma cells and 30 human volunteers were used for in vitro and in vivo studies, respectively. Phytoclear-EL1 was added to the cultured B-16 melanoma cells, and applied to UVB-induced hyperpigmented lesions of human volunteers twice daily for 7 weeks. Changes in the number of B-16 melanoma cells, as well as changes in morphology, melanin content, and tyrosinase activity, were measured and then compared with the normal control and the 10(-3)M arbutin groups. Also, the effect of phytoclear-EL1 on UVB-induced hyperpigmented lesions was examined through subjective and objective measurements.


RESULTS
In the in vitro study (p<0.05), the number, melanin content, and tyrosinase activity of cultured B-16 melanoma cells were decreased in the 5microg/ml phytoclear-EL1 group compared to the control group. On objective assessment with a chromameter, the 0.2% phytoclear-EL1 group had a larger difference in the mean L values before and 7 weeks after applying phytoclear-EL1 as compared to the other groups. On subjective assessment by both the researchers and subjects 7 weeks after applying experimental materials, the 0.2% phytoclear-EL1 group and positive control (3% arbutin) had higher scores than the placebo groups. These results demonstrated that phytoclear-EL1 in vivo and in vitro had an inhibitory effect on melanogenesis.


CONCLUSIONS
Phytoclear-EL1 may be a candidate extract in the control of hyperpigmentary disorders.
Department of Dermatology, Kosin University College of Medicine, Busan, Korea.
Kee Suck
KS
Suh
Jae Woo
JW
Baek
Tae Kwon
TK
Kim
Jin Woo
JW
Lee
Hyo Jin
HJ
Roh
Young Seung
YS
Jeon
Sang Tae
ST
Kim