title: Clinical evaluation of the depigmenting effect of Glechoma Hederacea extract by topical treatment for 8 weeks on UV-induced pigmentation in Asian skin.
abstract: UV is a major environmental factor inducing and worsening the symptoms of hyperpigmentation disorders such as freckles, melasma and solar lentigines. During UV-induced skin inflammatory reactions, pro-inflammatory mediators initiate the production of various paracrine melanogenic factors (α-MSH, SCF, ET-1, bFGF and NO) in keratinocytes. These paracrine factors activate melanin synthase in melanocytes through the paracrine network between melanocytes and keratinocytes. Glechoma hederacea (GH) is a herbal plant used in oriental medicine to treat inflammation. Its anti-inflammatory effects, through inhibition of NO synthesis (NOS) as well as the pro-inflammatory cytokine TNF-α, have been reported. However, there has not yet been any report of a depigmenting effect. In this study of placebo-controlled, 8 week topical treatment with a 1% GH extract lotion on UV-induced pigmented spots in female Asian subjects, significant effects of anti-inflammation and depigmenting were proven. The depigmenting effect of GH seems to be related to inhibiting the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines and melanogenic paracrine factors from keratinocytes, rather than to direct inhibition of melanogenic activities in melanocytes.
authors.affiliation: Kwandong University College of Medicine, Myongji Hospital, Department of Dermatology, 697-24 Hwajeong-dong, Deokyang-gu, Goyang-city, Gyeonggi-do, Korea.
authors.forename: Jae Hyoun
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Ha
authors.forename: Won Hyung
authors.initials: WH
authors.lastname: Kang
authors.forename: Jung Ok
authors.initials: JO
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Youn Ki
authors.initials: YK
authors.lastname: Cho
authors.forename: Sang Kyu
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Sang Keun
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Han Kyoung
authors.initials: HK
authors.lastname: Cho
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D044466:Asian People; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D019686:Lamiaceae; D008875:Middle Aged; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012880:Skin Pigmentation / Q000187:drug effects*; D013053:Spectrophotometry; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D010936:Plant Extracts