{
  "abstract": "Skin hyperpigmentation represents a highly prevalent dermatological issue that severely affects skin appearance and quality of life. Tyrosinase is well recognized as the critical rate-limiting enzyme in the melanin biosynthesis pathway, making it a prime target for skin-lightening interventions. Although synthetic depigmenting agents are widely used in cosmetics, their clinical applications are severely restricted by safety concerns, skin irritation, and chemical instability. In recent years, natural tyrosinase inhibitors originating from plants, fungi, marine organisms, and microbial metabolites have attracted extensive attention due to their promising efficacy, structural diversity, and multi-target activities, although long-term clinical and systemic safety data remain limited. This review comprehensively summarizes the molecular mechanisms underlying melanogenesis inhibition by natural compounds, their major biological sources, and representative active components, as well as key evidence from in vitro enzymatic assays, cellular models, and human clinical trials. We further discuss critical challenges in formulation development, including chemical instability, insufficient skin permeability, and safety considerations for long-term topical use. Finally, future research directions and translational opportunities are explored. By integrating recent advances and unresolved bottlenecks, this review aims to provide a scientific basis and rational guidance for the design and development of safe and effective natural-based skin-lightening products.",
  "abstract_shown": true,
  "affiliations": [
    "College of Biological and Chemical Engineering, Qilu Institute of Technology, Jinan, Shandong, People’s Republic of China",
    "College of Biotechnology, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, Tianjin, People’s Republic of China"
  ],
  "article_type": "review article",
  "arxiv": null,
  "author_total": 5,
  "authors": [
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Zhe Sun"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Yihui Li"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Xuehui Wang"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Rongxiao Wang"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0,
        1
      ],
      "name": "Wenjian Ma"
    }
  ],
  "bibtex": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/00gf7rtrrem0s.bib",
  "cited_by": 0,
  "doi": "10.2147/ccid.s655765",
  "fulltext_url": "https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC13731762/",
  "id": "00gf7rtrrem0s",
  "issns": [
    "1178-7015"
  ],
  "landing_url": "https://doi.org/10.2147/ccid.s655765",
  "language": "en",
  "licence": "CC-BY-NC-4.0",
  "licence_label": "CC BY-NC 4.0",
  "licence_source": "article",
  "licence_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/",
  "metadata_licence": null,
  "native_subjects": [
    [
      "heading",
      "Review"
    ],
    [
      "openalex",
      "1307|melanin and skin pigmentation"
    ]
  ],
  "openalex": "W7224955100",
  "pdf_url": "https://www.dovepress.com/article/download/121606",
  "pmcid": "PMC13731762",
  "pmid": "42984850",
  "published": "2026-10-30",
  "publisher": "Dove Press",
  "ris": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/00gf7rtrrem0s.ris",
  "sources": [
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-11-08T12:21:54Z",
      "native_id": "PMC13731762",
      "source": "pmc",
      "url": "https://doi.org/10.2147/ccid.s655765"
    }
  ],
  "subjects": [
    {
      "field": "biology",
      "origin": "openalex:1307|melanin and skin pigmentation",
      "subfield": "cell-biology"
    }
  ],
  "title": "Targeting Skin Hyperpigmentation with Nature-Derived Tyrosinase Inhibitors: Sources, Mechanisms, and Translational Challenges",
  "title_text": "Targeting Skin Hyperpigmentation with Nature-Derived Tyrosinase Inhibitors: Sources, Mechanisms, and Translational Challenges",
  "type": "peer-reviewed",
  "updated_at": "2026-11-08T12:21:54Z",
  "url": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/00gf7rtrrem0s",
  "venue": "Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology",
  "versions": []
}