Biodegradable Kojic Acid-Based Polymers: Controlled Delivery of Bioactives for Melanogenesis Inhibition

Abstract

Kojic acid (KA) is a naturally occurring fungal metabolite that is utilized as a skin-lightener and antibrowning agent owing to its potent tyrosinase inhibition activity. While efficacious, KA’s inclination to undergo pH-mediated, thermal-, and photodegradation reduces its efficacy, necessitating stabilizing vehicles. To minimize degradation, poly(carbonate-esters) and polyesters comprised of KA and natural diacids were prepared via solution polymerization methods. In vitro hydrolytic degradation analyses revealed KA release was drastically influenced by polymer backbone composition (e.g., poly(carbonate-ester) vs polyester), linker molecule (aliphatic vs heteroatom-containing), and release conditions (physiological vs skin). Tyrosinase inhibition assays demonstrated that aliphatic KA dienols, the major degradation product under skin conditions, were more potent then KA itself. All dienols were found to be less toxic than KA at all tested concentrations. Additionally, the most lipophilic dienols were statistically more effective than KA at inhibiting melanin biosynthesis in cells. These KA-based polymer systems deliver KA analogues with improved efficacy and cytocompatible profiles, making them ideal candidates for sustained topical treatments in both medical and personal care products.

Lipase-Catalyzed Synthesis of Kojic Acid Derivative in Bioreactors and the Analysis of Its Depigmenting and Antioxidant Activities

“…However, the efficacy and penetration level of kojic acid into skin decreases when expose to extreme pH, temperature, and photon level, which lead to its degradation [27]. KAD had far better depigmenting activity compared to kojic acid.…”

“…Increases in absorption are also related to structure of the cell membrane which is made of a phospholipid bilayer [28]. A recent study showed that poly(carbonate-esters) and polyesters comprised of kojic acid were more stable [27]. The aliphatic lipophilic kojic acid dienols were significantly more efficient than kojic acid at inhibiting melanin synthesis in melanocytes [27].…”

“…A recent study showed that poly(carbonate-esters) and polyesters comprised of kojic acid were more stable [27]. The aliphatic lipophilic kojic acid dienols were significantly more efficient than kojic acid at inhibiting melanin synthesis in melanocytes [27]. The depigmenting activity may derive from the kojic acid part of the KAP molecule, but there are several factors that influence its activity than just comparing the amount of kojic acid part presence.…”

“…The depigmenting activity may derive from the kojic acid part of the KAP molecule, but there are several factors that influence its activity than just comparing the amount of kojic acid part presence. Factors such as penetrability and hydrophobic-hydrophilic balance play significant roles in its activity [27,29]. Cytotoxicity using MTT assay measures damage to mitochondrion, so penetrability of compound or molecules into the cell membrane may play some role to its cytotoxic effect.…”

Text Similarity Calculation based on Domain Ontology and Concept Clustering

“…The algorithms inspired by the foraging, sweeping lair and other behaviors carried out by social animals to resolve the practical problems receive the remarkable success. The application examples of these algorithms in the fields of combinational optimization, communication network and robot are increased exponentially [5,6,7,8,9]. Bonabeau, et al perceive the swarm intelligence as the algorithm and distributed problem solving equipment inspired by the collective behaviors of social insect group and other animal groups [10].…”