Inhibitory effect of magnesium l-ascorbyl-2-phosphate (VC-PMG) on melanogenesis in vitro and in vivo

• Published in: Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology 1996, Vol.34 (1), p.29-33
• Main Authors: Kameyama, Koichiro, Sakai, Chie, Kondoh, Shigeo, Yonemoto, KohZoh, Nishiyama, Shigeo, Tagawa, Masato, Murata, Tomoji, Ohnuma, Toshio, Quigley, John, Dorsky, Albert, Bucks, Daniel, Blanock, Kurt
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Ascorbic Acid - analogs & derivatives; Ascorbic Acid - pharmacokinetics; Ascorbic Acid - pharmacology; Ascorbic Acid - therapeutic use; Biological and medical sciences; Female; Humans; In Vitro Techniques; Medical sciences; Melanins - biosynthesis; Melanoma, Experimental - metabolism; Melanosis - drug therapy; Monophenol Monooxygenase - metabolism; Pharmacology. Drug treatments; Skin Absorption; Skin Neoplasms - metabolism; Skin, nail, hair, dermoskeleton; Tumor Cells, Cultured
• ISSN: 0190-9622; 1097-6787
• DOI: 10.1016/S0190-9622(96)90830-0

Background: An inhibitory effect of ascorbic acid (AsA) on melanogenesis has been described. However, AsA is quickly oxidized and decomposed in aqueous solution and thus is not generally useful as a depigmenting agent. Objective: Our purpose was to examine the effect on pigmentation of magnesium- l-ascorbyl-2-phosphate (VC-PMG), a stable derivative of AsA. Methods: Percutaneous absorption of VC-PMG was examined in dermatomed human skin, and its effect on melanin production by mammalian tyrosinase and human melanoma cells in culture was also measured. A 10% VC-PMG cream was applied to the patients. Results: VC-PMG suppressed melanin formation by tyrosinase and melanoma cells. In situ experiments demonstrated that VC-PMG cream was absorbed into the epidermis and that 1.6% remained 48 hours after application. The lightening effect was significant in 19 of 34 patients with chloasma or senile freckles and in 3 of 25 patients with normal skin. Conclusion: VC-PMG is effective in reducing skin hyperpigmentation in some patients.