갈만 추출물의 미백 기능 및 안전성에 대한 임상적 유용성 평가

A clinical evaluation about whitening effect and safety of cosmetic containing aerial part of Pueraria lobata extract

Melanin is major factor that determines skin color as well as one of the defense systems that prevent the UV-induced damage. White and clean skin is very important part of the satisfaction of appearance and life quality. The purpose of this clinical study was to investigate the anti-melanogenesis activity for whitening product containing aerial part of Puer-aria lobata extract (APPL) can be utilized based on the increase in demands for cosmetics, particularly natural products. A total of 23 subjects who visited Dermapro Skin Research Center were included in this study. Volunteers were irradiated at a test site with UVA+B to induce pigmentation then applied 3% APPL at the test site for 8 weeks. Changes in visual eval-uation on pigmentation, average melanin content were observed, and subjective skin lightness and color improvements were analyzed. In all parameters measured in this clinical study, APPL treated group showed significant improvement com-pared with the control group. After 4 weeks, subjects with 3% APPL treatment started to improve melanin content and visual evaluation on pigmentation and skin lightness. Skin colors have improved from 8 weeks of treatment with 3% APPL. The safety of product containing 3% APPL was also confirmed. Indexes of subjective irritation(itching, prickling, tickling, burning, stinging, stiffness, tightening etc.) and objective irritation(erythema, edema, scale, papule etc.) proved that there was no adverse reaction on skin upon treatment of products. Considering all the results obtained, 3% APPL product can be used as a safe and effective skin-whitening agent.