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Analysis of the antimelanogenic activity of zinc and selenium in vitro

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Abstract

Melasma is an acquired chronic condition characterized by hyperchromic patches in photo-exposed areas. The search for new compounds for the treatment of melasma without side effects is constant. In this context, the aim of this study was to investigate the in vitro cytotoxic and antimelanogenic effects of the trace elements Zinc (Zn) and Selenium (Se). In this study, we evaluated the effects of 30 µM hydroquinone, this concentration did not alter mitochondrial function (MTT assay), but increased the percentage of necrotic cells and levels of reactive species. Furthermore, it showed no influence on tyrosinase activity and melanin content. Unlike hydroquinone, exposure for 48 h to 100 µM Zn and 1 and 5 µM Se had no significant influence on the analysis of reactive species, as well as on the percentage of necrotic cells. Still, specifically in relation to 100 µM Zn, it decreased the melanin content. Given the above, the trace elements Zn and Se did not show toxicity at the concentrations tested and Zn showed a promising effect, however, the mechanism needs to be better explored in order to contribute to new and updated research in the fight against melasma with a perspective of therapeutic use.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Instituto de Pesquisa Pelé Pequeno Príncipe, Curitiba, PR, Brazil

    Ana Cleia Cardoso da Silva, Milena Mariano Ribeiro, Nayara de Souza da Costa, Maria Eduarda Andrade Galiciolli, Júlia Vicentin Souza, Ana Carolina Irioda & Cláudia Sirlene Oliveira

  2. Faculdades Pequeno Príncipe, Curitiba, PR, Brazil

    Ana Cleia Cardoso da Silva, Milena Mariano Ribeiro, Nayara de Souza da Costa, Maria Eduarda Andrade Galiciolli, Júlia Vicentin Souza & Cláudia Sirlene Oliveira

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  1. Ana Cleia Cardoso da Silva
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  2. Milena Mariano Ribeiro
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  3. Nayara de Souza da Costa
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  4. Maria Eduarda Andrade Galiciolli
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  5. Júlia Vicentin Souza
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  6. Ana Carolina Irioda
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  7. Cláudia Sirlene Oliveira
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Contributions

Introduction, ACCS and CSO; methodology: ACCS; MMR; JVS; MEAG and ACI; results: ACCS; MMR; NSC; JVS and CSO; Discussion: ACCS; NSC; MEAG; ACI and CSO; conclusion: JVS and CSO; supervision: CSO and ACI. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.

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Correspondence to Ana Carolina Irioda or Cláudia Sirlene Oliveira.

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da Silva, A.C.C., Ribeiro, M.M., de Souza da Costa, N. et al. Analysis of the antimelanogenic activity of zinc and selenium in vitro. Arch Dermatol Res 315, 2805–2812 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00403-023-02695-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00403-023-02695-2

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