Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2010, 11(6), 2566-2575; doi:10.3390/ijms11062566
Review

Quasi-Drugs Developed in Japan for the Prevention or Treatment of Hyperpigmentary Disorders

Hideya Ando 1,2,* email, Mary S. Matsui 3 email and Masamitsu Ichihashi 1,2 email
1 Skin Aging and Photo-aging Research Center, Doshisha University, Kizugawa, Kyoto 619-0225, Japan 2 Kobe Skin Research Institute, Kobe, Hyogo 650-0047, Japan 3 Biological Research Division, The Estee Lauder Companies Inc., Melville, New York 11747, NY, USA
* Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Received: 1 May 2010; in revised form: 9 June 2010 / Accepted: 10 June 2010 / Published: 18 June 2010
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Inhibitors of Melanogenesis Related Processes: Application to Food and Cosmetic Industry)
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Abstract: Excess production of melanin or its abnormal distribution, or both, can cause irregular hyperpigmentation of the skin, leading to melasma and age spots. To date, various quasi-drugs that prevent or improve hyperpigmentary disorders have been developed and officially approved by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare of Japan. Many of these inhibit the activity of tyrosinase, an enzyme required for melanin synthesis, for example, by competitive or non-competitive inhibition of its catalytic activity, by inhibiting its maturation, or by accelerating its degradation. In this review, we categorize the quasi-drugs developed in Japan to prevent or treat hyperpigmentary disorders, or both, and discuss perspectives for future development.
Keywords: melanin; melanocyte; pigmentation; skin

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MDPI and ACS Style

Ando, H.; Matsui, M.S.; Ichihashi, M. Quasi-Drugs Developed in Japan for the Prevention or Treatment of Hyperpigmentary Disorders. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2010, 11, 2566-2575.

AMA Style

Ando H, Matsui MS, Ichihashi M. Quasi-Drugs Developed in Japan for the Prevention or Treatment of Hyperpigmentary Disorders. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2010; 11(6):2566-2575.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Ando, Hideya; Matsui, Mary S.; Ichihashi, Masamitsu. 2010. "Quasi-Drugs Developed in Japan for the Prevention or Treatment of Hyperpigmentary Disorders." Int. J. Mol. Sci. 11, no. 6: 2566-2575.

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