The effect of niacinamide on reducing cutaneous pigmentation and suppression of melanosome transfer

British Journal of DermatologyVolume 147, Issue 1 p. 20-31 The effect of niacinamide on reducing cutaneous pigmentation and suppression of melanosome transfer T. Hakozaki, T. Hakozaki Research & Development Department, Procter & Gamble Far East, Inc., Kobe Technical Center 7F, Naka 1–17, Koyo-cho, Higashinada-ku, Kobe 658-0032, JapanSearch for more papers by this authorL. Minwalla, L. Minwalla Dermatology Department, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, U.S.A.Search for more papers by this authorJ. Zhuang, J. Zhuang Skin Technology Division andSearch for more papers by this authorM. Chhoa, M. Chhoa Skin Technology Division andSearch for more papers by this authorA. Matsubara, A. Matsubara Research & Development Department, Procter & Gamble Far East, Inc., Kobe Technical Center 7F, Naka 1–17, Koyo-cho, Higashinada-ku, Kobe 658-0032, JapanSearch for more papers by this authorK. Miyamoto, K. Miyamoto Research & Development Department, Procter & Gamble Far East, Inc., Kobe Technical Center 7F, Naka 1–17, Koyo-cho, Higashinada-ku, Kobe 658-0032, JapanSearch for more papers by this authorA. Greatens, A. Greatens Dermatology Department, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, U.S.A.Search for more papers by this authorG.G. Hillebrand, G.G. Hillebrand External Business Development & Corporate Licensing, Procter & Gamble, Cincinnati, OH, U.S.A.Search for more papers by this authorD.L. Bissett, D.L. Bissett Skin Technology Division andSearch for more papers by this authorR.E. Boissy, R.E. Boissy Dermatology Department, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, U.S.A.Search for more papers by this author T. Hakozaki, T. Hakozaki Research & Development Department, Procter & Gamble Far East, Inc., Kobe Technical Center 7F, Naka 1–17, Koyo-cho, Higashinada-ku, Kobe 658-0032, JapanSearch for more papers by this authorL. Minwalla, L. Minwalla Dermatology Department, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, U.S.A.Search for more papers by this authorJ. Zhuang, J. Zhuang Skin Technology Division andSearch for more papers by this authorM. Chhoa, M. Chhoa Skin Technology Division andSearch for more papers by this authorA. Matsubara, A. Matsubara Research & Development Department, Procter & Gamble Far East, Inc., Kobe Technical Center 7F, Naka 1–17, Koyo-cho, Higashinada-ku, Kobe 658-0032, JapanSearch for more papers by this authorK. Miyamoto, K. Miyamoto Research & Development Department, Procter & Gamble Far East, Inc., Kobe Technical Center 7F, Naka 1–17, Koyo-cho, Higashinada-ku, Kobe 658-0032, JapanSearch for more papers by this authorA. Greatens, A. Greatens Dermatology Department, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, U.S.A.Search for more papers by this authorG.G. Hillebrand, G.G. Hillebrand External Business Development & Corporate Licensing, Procter & Gamble, Cincinnati, OH, U.S.A.Search for more papers by this authorD.L. Bissett, D.L. Bissett Skin Technology Division andSearch for more papers by this authorR.E. Boissy, R.E. Boissy Dermatology Department, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, U.S.A.Search for more papers by this author First published: 03 July 2002 https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-2133.2002.04834.xCitations: 247 Tomohiro Hakozaki. E-mail: hakozaki.t.1@pg.com Read the full textAboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinked InRedditWechat Abstract Summary Background Cutaneous hyperpigmentation occurs in multiple conditions. In addition, many Asian women desire a lighter skin colour. Thus, there is a need for the development of skin lightening agents. Niacinamide is a possible candidate. Objectives To investigate the effects of niacinamide on melanogenesis in vitro and on facial hyperpigmentation and skin colour in vivo in Japanese women. Methods Melanin production was measured in a purified mushroom tyrosinase assay, cultured melanocytes, a keratinocyte/melanocyte coculture model, and a pigmented reconstructed epidermis (PREP) model. The clinical trials included 18 subjects with hyperpigmentation who used 5% niacinamide moisturizer and vehicle moisturizer in a paired design, and 120 subjects with facial tanning who were assigned to two of three treatments: vehicle, sunscreen and 2% niacinamide + sunscreen. Changes in facial hyperpigmentation and skin colour were objectively quantified by computer analysis and visual grading of high-resolution digital images of the face. Results Niacinamide had no effect on the catalytic activity of mushroom tyrosinase or on melanogenesis in cultured melanocytes. However, niacinamide gave 35–68% inhibition of melanosome transfer in the coculture model and reduced cutaneous pigmentation in the PREP model. In the clinical studies, niacinamide significantly decreased hyperpigmentation and increased skin lightness compared with vehicle alone after 4 weeks of use. Conclusions The data suggest niacinamide is an effective skin lightening compound that works by inhibiting melanosome transfer from melanocytes to keratinocytes. Citing Literature Volume147, Issue1July 2002Pages 20-31 RelatedInformation