Anti-melanogenesis
The melanin inhibition test is used to evaluate the potential of a test substance to inhibit melanin synthesis, the pigment responsible for skin and hair color. The assay can be performed using either a chemical reaction–based method (in chemico) or a cell culture–based method (in vitro).
- Anti-tyrosinase assay (in chemico): This method measures the ability of a compound to inhibit tyrosinase, a key enzyme involved in the melanin biosynthetic pathway. When tyrosinase is active, it converts substrates to produce a dark-colored compound, dopachrome, which can be quantified using a spectrophotometer. If the test substance inhibits tyrosinase activity, the color intensity (and thus dopachrome formation) decreases.
- Anti-melanogenesis assay (in vitro): This assay evaluates the inhibitory potential of a compound on melanin production within melanocytes, typically using the B16F10 mouse melanoma cell line. After stimulating melanogenesis, cells are exposed to the test compound, and the resulting reduction in melanin content is measured and compared to the control group.
Both methods are commonly used in combination to comprehensively assess the potential of active ingredients as skin-whitening or melanin-inhibiting agents in cosmetic formulations.
[1] An. Bras. Dermatol. 2013, 88(1), 76.