title: Recent Updates in Melanocyte Function: The Use of Promising Bioactive Compounds for the Treatment of Hypopigmentary Disorders.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Skin pigmentation is a broadly appearing phenomenon in nature which plays an important task of determining the appearance and biology of all vertebrates including human beings. Skin color is a crucial attribute, determined by the synthesis of melanin pigment within melanocytes by the process of melanogenesis and is regulated by many extrinsic as well as intrinsic factors. Tyrosinase catalyzes the key step of melanogenesis, dysfunction of tyrosinase leads to reduce melanin production which results in severe clinical and aesthetical problems of hypopigmentation. Therefore, the regulation of melanin production is an important strategy in the treatment of abnormal skin pigmentation for cosmetic and medicinal purpose.
  
  
  METHODS
  The present review covers the various aspects of mammalian melanocyte biology which will help in the identification of key regulators of melanogenesis from pharmaceutical and pharmacological point of view. Further sections of the review focus on the dysfunctions of melanogenic pathways, which result in severe clinical and aesthetical problems of hypopigmentation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We have also attempted to highlight the ability of available scientifically validated plant extracts to naturally enhance melanin synthesis in order to cure hypopigmentation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biotechnology, Saifia Science College, Bhopal (MP)-462001, India.
authors.forename: Sharique A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Ali
authors.affiliation: Department of Zoology and Biotechnology Saifia, College of Science, Bhopal 462001, India.
authors.forename: Ishrat
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Naaz
authors.affiliation: Biotechnology Pharmacology Laboratory, Centre for Scientific Research & Development, People's University Bhopal-462037, India.
authors.forename: Kamal Uddin
authors.initials: KU
authors.lastname: Zaidi
authors.affiliation: Department of Zoology and Biotechnology Saifia, College of Science, Bhopal 462001, India.
authors.forename: Ayesha S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Ali
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D006801:Humans; D017496:Hypopigmentation / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D008543:Melanins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008544:Melanocytes / Q000187:drug effects*; D015394:Molecular Structure; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D013329:Structure-Activity Relationship
chemical_list: D008543:Melanins
keywords: Hypopigmentation; melanocytes; melanogenesis; melanophores; tyrosinase; vitiligo