• Journal of Electrical Engineering and Technology
• /
• v.11 no.6
• /
• pp.1825-1838
• /
• 2016

The detection of skin pigment is crucial in the diagnosis of skin diseases and in the evaluation of medical cosmetics and hairdressing. Accuracy in the detection is a basis for the prompt cure of skin diseases. This study presents a method to recognize and measure human skin pigment using Hemoglobin-Melanin (HM) coordinate. The proposed method extracts the skin area through a Gaussian skin-color model estimated from statistical analysis and decomposes the skin area into two pigments of hemoglobin and melanin using an Independent Component Analysis (ICA) algorithm. Then, we divide the two-dimensional (2D) HM coordinate into rectangular bins and compute the location histograms of hemoglobin and melanin for all the bins. We label the skin pigment of hemoglobin, melanin, and normal skin on all bins according to the Bayesian classifier. These bin-based HM projective histograms can quantify the skin pigment and compute the standard deviation on the total quantification of skin pigments surrounding normal skin. We tested our scheme using images taken under different illumination conditions. Several cosmetic coverings were used to test the performance of the proposed method. The experimental results show that the proposed method can detect skin pigments with more accuracy and evaluate cosmetic covering effects more effectively than conventional methods.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
• /
• v.38 no.4
• /
• pp.62-81
• /
• 2017

Objectives: As interests in the beauty of skin is growing continuously, more people are focusing on white and clean skin. Melanin is the major factor that determines skin color. The abnormal concentration of melanin causes various skin diseases such as vitiligo, freckles, and melasma. This study investigated the inhibitory effect of Eriobotryae Folium extracts (EF) with phreatic water (PW) on the melanin synthesis. Methods: The effect of EF on melanin synthesis was evaluated by using mouse melanoma cells (B16F10). To define the mechanisms, real-time PCR and western blot were used. We also evaluated the inhibitory effects of EF and PW on melanin synthesis by using HRM-2 melanin-possessing hairless mice. After UVB irradiation, melanin differences between the skin parts that were treated and untreated with EF and PW. Levels of mRNA were measured by real-time quantitative PCR and histological analysis of the dorsal skin was conducted by hematoxylin and eosin staining. Results: EF inhibited various mechanisms of melanogenesis, and the effect was increased when combined with PW. In vitro experiments have shown that EF inhibited the expressions of tyrosinase related protein-1 (TRP-1) mRNA, tyrosinase mRNA, microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF) mRNA and the tyrosinase inhibitory activation, but it stimulated the extracellular regulated kinase (ERK) mRNA expression. In vivo experiments have shown that EF prevented melanogenesis in the mice dorsal skin and inhibited TRP-1 mRNA expression. Also these effects were increased when combined with PW. Conclusions: EF and PW might be a new and effective treatment for whitening and treating pigmentation of skin.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
• /
• v.22 no.2
• /
• pp.104-117
• /
• 2009

Objective : Melanin is one of the most important facor in skin color. Melanin protects human skin from ultraviolet radiation otherwise it causes melanin pigmentation. So this experiment is carried out for test whether Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi(SBG) inhibits melanin synthesis and tyrosinase activity in mouse B16 melanoma cells. Method : The melanin synthesis inhibition effects of SBG were examined by in vitro melanin production assay. We assessed inhibitory effects of SBG on melanin contents from B16F1 melanoma cell, on tyrosinase activity(cell and cell free system), effect of SBG on the expression tyrosinase, Microphthalmia-associated Transcription Factor(MITF), Extracellular signal-regulated Kinase(ERK). Result : SBG inhibited melanin synthesis induced $\alpha$-MSH($\alpha$-Melanin Stimulating Hormone) in B16F1. SBG inhibited tyrosinase activity and expression. And SBG down-regulates MITF and stimulated ERK activation in B16F1. Conclusion : According to above results, SBG was improved its suppression effect to the inhibition of melanin synthesis, tyrosinase activation, and tyrosinase promotor activation. So SBG is considered to be used for an strong source of skin whitening effect.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
• /
• v.30 no.7
• /
• pp.1051-1059
• /
• 2020

Overproduction and accumulation of melanin in the skin will darken the skin and cause skin disorders. So far, components that can inhibit tyrosinase, a melanin synthase of melanocytes, have been developed and used as ingredients of cosmetics or pharmaceutical products. However, most of existing substances can only inhibit the biosynthesis of melanin while melanin that is already synthesized and deposited is not directly decomposed. Thus, their effects in decreasing melanin concentration in the skin are weak. To overcome the limitation of existing therapeutic agents, we started to develop a substance that could directly biodegrade melanin. We screened traditional fermented food microorganisms for their abilities to direct biodegrade melanin. As a result, we found that a kimchi-derived Pediococcus acidilactici PMC48 had a direct melanin-degrading effect. This PMC48 strain is a new strain, different from P. acidilactici strains reported so far. It not only directly degrades melanin, but also has tyrosinase-inhibiting effect. It has a direct melanin-decomposition effect. It exceeds existing melanin synthesis-inhibiting technology. It is expected to be of high value as a raw material for melanin degradation drugs and cosmetics.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
• /
• v.43 no.3
• /
• pp.233-245
• /
• 2010

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of dietary habits and nutrient intakes on skin condition of female university students. The subjects were 95 female university students in Daegu. This study examined anthropometric measurements, dietary intake, food intake habits and skin condition (moisture, elasticity, sebum (U-zone, T-zone), pores, evenness and melanin pigmentation. The subjects in this study had an average age of 21.4, an average height and weight of 161.2 cm and 52.9 kg, respectively, and the average body mass index (BMI) was 20.3 $kg/m^2$. The means of skin elasticity, pores, evenness, and melanin pigmentation were within the normal range of women in their 20s and the skin moisture state was slightly lower than the normal range, which showed a dry tendency. The sebum in the U-zone and the T-zone was lower than the standard values, which showed less secretion in both areas. The subjects with high nut intake showed a better skin pore state (p < 0.05). Those with a high intake of instant foods showed a sig-nificantly low skin moisture and a significantly higher sebum rate (p < 0.05). The group with high skin elasticity and the group with less melanin pigmentation showed a significantly low animal protein intake (p < 0.05). The group with high skin elasticity also showed a significantly higher vitamin A and niacin intakes as well (p < 0.05). The group with high skin evenness showed a significantly lower animal lipid intake and a significantly higher vitamin E intake (p < 0.05). In addition, those with high skin elasticity and evenness as well as low melanin pigmentation showed a tendency of high intake of antioxidant vitamins, such as vitamin A, carotene, vitamin C or vitamin E. In summary, a moderate intake of plant-based products and also the antioxidant vitamins within such products seems to have a beneficial effect on maintaining a healthy and good skin condition.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
• /
• v.16 no.5
• /
• pp.667-672
• /
• 2006

Tyrosinase is an enzyme that catalyzes the biosynthetic pathway of melanin pigments participating in the coloring of skin, hair, and eyes, and is widely distributed in nature. The inhibitory compounds of tyrosinase have been extensively used as a cosmetic agent with a skin-whitening effect. In this paper, several plant extracts were screened using Melan-a cells for the melanin biosynthesis inhibition activity, and Idesia polycarpa was selected. A melanin biosynthesis inhibitor was isolated from I. polycarpa fruits by activity-guided fractionation, and the inhibitor was identified as 6-hydroxy-2-[[[(1-hydroxy-6-oxo-2-cyclohexenl-yl)carbonyl]oxy]methyl]phenyl$\beta$-D-glucopyranoside (idescrapin) by comparing it with reported spectral data. Idescarpin $(IC_{50}=8{\mu}g/ml)$ reduced melanin content compared with the vehicle. In addition, the inhibitory activity of idescarpin for melanin synthesis is mediated by decreasing tyrosinase protein rather than directly inhibiting the tyrosinase activity. These results suggest that idescarpin isolated from I. polycarpa fruits may be used as a skin-whitening agent.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
• /
• v.12 no.12
• /
• pp.5805-5810
• /
• 2011

This study aims to provide fundamental data to develop anti-aging programs in the aspect of skin care. To attain the goal, manual therapy and low-power laser therapy were conducted separately to 8 women inthe 40's and 50's. They received the facial massage total 8 times twice a week for 4 weeks. According to the result of calculating the average and standard deviation by measuring skin elasticity of the area below their eyes and cheeks and also melanin around eyes and cheeks and conducting comparative analysis, both groups showed significant increase in elasticity and their melanin decreased significantly. The low-power laser therapy showed higher values than the manual therapy both in elasticity increase and melanin reduction; thus, it was analyzed that the low-power laser therapy more highly affects skin elasticity and the amount of melanin in facial skin is greater than that in manual therapy. Therefore, it was analyzed that skin care using low level laser can be significant in anti-aging of facial skin and can be utilized as a program for a new type of skin care.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology
• /
• v.7 no.2
• /
• pp.59-66
• /
• 1973

It has been reported that vasopressin disperse the melanophore granule of frog skin. The author used hypophysectomized and adrenergic receptor blockaded animals in order to define the mechanism of vasopressin on the melanopore pigment of frog skin. The Rana niglomaculata which could be found in the Seoul area were used on this experiment. The amount of the following drugs were injected into the lymphatic sac of the frog; vaospressin $(0.05\;{\mu}g/g\;B.W.)$, dibenzylin $(0.05\;{\mu}g/g\;B.W.)$, and propranolol $(0.01\;{\mu}g/g\;B.W.)$. The following results were observed; 1. Vasopressin dispersed the melanin granules of melanocyte of frog skin. 2. The melanin granule dispersion activity of vasopressin was observed on the hypophysectomized frog. 3. The melanin granule dispersion was observed on the adrenergic receptor blockaded frog with dibenzylin or propranolol respectively, especially the later one was found to be more obvious. 4. The melanin granule dispersion was observed on the frog which was injected with vasopressin after alpha-receptor or beta-receptor blockade and the later one was found to be more obvious. 5. The melanin granule dispersion was more effective with the blockade of beta-receptor after the treatment with vasopressin on hypophysectomized frog.

• Journal of Korea Multimedia Society
• /
• v.16 no.1
• /
• pp.1-10
• /
• 2013

This paper presents an approach for detecting and measuring human skin pigmentation. In the proposed scheme, we extract a skin area by a Gaussian skin color model that is estimated from the statistical analysis of training images and remove tiny noises through the morphology processing. A skin area is decomposed into two components of hemoglobin and melanin by an independent component analysis (ICA) algorithm. Then, we calculate the intensities of hemoglobin and melanin by using the location histogram and determine the existence of skin pigmentation according to the global and local distribution of two intensities. Furthermore, we measure the area and density of the detected skin pigmentation. Experimental results verified that our scheme can both detect the skin pigmentation and measure the quantity of that and also our scheme takes less time because of the location histogram.

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
• /
• v.33 no.4
• /
• pp.706-716
• /
• 2016

In this study we applied the NAG obtained by the deacetylation of chitin extracted from the shells of crabs and shrimp as cosmetic ingredient. In order to compare NAG with GLC we identified the influence of cytotoxicity, anti-inflammatory, melanin biosynthesis formation inhibition on skin cell, and we measured the effects of the change of melanin and red spots. The results show that there was not any attentive cytotoxicity on the Raw 264.7 cell and B16F10 cell, and NO formation anti-inflammatory hindrance effect induced from Raw 264.7 by LPS was slight, and NAG suppressed the increase of melanin generation concentration-dependently after we induced the melanin generation with ${\alpha}$-MSH on B16F10 and measured the melanin biosynthesis inhibition. From this result, we identified the applicability of the cosmetics containing NAG as functional cosmetic for enhancing skin-lightening because when cream containing NAG was applied to skin the index of melanin red spots showed statistically meaningful changes.