Effects of a Standardized Hydrogenated Extract of Curcumin (Curowhite™) on Melanogenesis: A Pilot Study

The stimulation of melanogenesis by novel natural products is desirable for cosmetic applications such as skin tanning, anti-greying, and clinical use treating vitiligo leukoderma disorders. Microphthalmia transcription factor (MITF) a central that controls the expression tyrosinase, which key enzyme responsible catalyzing rate-limiting processes melanin production. Tetrahydrocurcuminoids (THCr), mostly consist tetrahydrocurcumin (THC), are colorless bioactive mixture derived from curcuminoids extracted Curcuma longa plant. THCr has been reported to exhibit superior properties, including antioxidant anti-inflammatory effects. Our previous study greater melanogenesis-stimulating effects purified THC, compared hexahydrocurcumin (HHC) or octahydrocurcumin (OHC). Curowhite™ (CW) proprietary extract consists 25% hydrogenated (mixture THCr, hexahydrocurcuminoids, octahydrocurcuminoids) encapsulated in β-cyclodextrin (βCyD) excipient. encapsulation suitable excipient, widely popular cyclodextrins, helps enhance stability, solubility, bioavailability THCr. CW marketed nutraceutical with GRAS status safe when administered orally, shown vivo studies. However, impact on remains unexplored. Herein, were investigated using B16F10 MNT-1 cells. findings show markedly cytotoxic cells without affecting cellular content. cells, significantly stimulated intracellular content over concentration range (20–60 µg/mL) increased dendrite formation while being nontoxic HaCaT after 5-day treatment. Examination excipient βCyD cytotoxicity confirmed had no contribution biological impacts found be exclusively attributable (THCr). mechanisms CW’s promelanogenic related, at least part, an increase tyrosinase MITF protein levels, did not alter activity Moreover, exhibited obtained through DPPH radical scavenging assay. Together, this pilot indicate might hold exciting avenue pro-pigmenting hypopigmentation disorders, detailed warrant further exploration. future investigations necessary examine normal human melanocytes