Development And Evaluation Of Novel Skin Darkening Agent From Extracts Of Berberis Vulgaris And Its Nanoformulation Using In Vivo And Cultured Mammalian Melanocytes

Abstract

Skin colour is primarily due to the pigment melanin, which is produced by melanocytes, and normal pigmentation is dependent on the normal structure and function of these cells. Melanin is the most extensively expressed biological pigment in nature responsible for the diverse pigmentation found in animal and human skin, hair, and eyes. The journey of melanin pigment within the melanocytes is very fascinating as it travels across various phases/stages during its lifespan. Each step of the melanin journey mobilizes various enzymes and signalling factors that may turn out to be interesting targets for the modulation of skin pigmentation. Discrepancies in the control mechanism of normal pigmentation result in the onset of disturbed melanogenesis pathways which ultimately lead to various dermatological or aesthetic problems, such as hyperpigmentation or hypopigmentation. These defects affect either the melanocyte number or its function. However, the basic biochemical, pathophysiological, genetic, as well as molecular cause of these anomalies is yet to be ascertained. newlineHypopigmentary disorders affect either normal numbers of melanocytes or showed rigorous defects in the site or amount of melanin. The regulation of melanin production is an important strategy in the treatment of abnormal skin pigmentation for the cosmetic and medicinal purpose. Due to its large surface area and easy accessibility skin serves as a convenient route for topical drug delivery of various therapeutic or cosmetic agents used against dermatological disorders. But unfortunately, stratum corneum (SC) which is derived from dead keratinized cells (corneocytes) acts as the rate-limiting barrier against the penetration of topically applied ingredients. Various procedures have been employed to overcome the barrier property of SC and improve drug absorption. But skin penetration enhancers often elicit undesirable immunological responses like irritation, inflammation or allergy, due to induced structural alternation in SC. Recently, nanopa