{
  "abstract": "Hyperpigmentation is a difficult-to-manage chronic condition typically treated using topical agents and cosmetic procedures. Topical treatments frequently include hydroquinone (HQ) 4%, which is limited by tolerability concerns for long-term use. Therefore, HQ-free cosmeceutical topical treatments for long-term control of hyperpigmentation are needed. This exploratory study sought to characterize the potential mechanism of action of a novel, cosmetic, topical, HQ-free, pigment-correcting serum formulated with lotus sprout extract, tranexamic acid (TXA), and niacinamide (LTN) designed to target 6 key cellular pathways of the melanin life cycle aimed at improving the appearance of skin hyperpigmentation. In vitro studies were conducted using the MelanoDerm human skin model. Gene expression, melanin concentrations, and histology were assessed after treatment with LTN serum or commercially available comparator formulations; samples were also examined with individual typology angle (ITA) and electron microscopy. Delivery and skin penetration of TXA and phenylethyl resorcinol (PER) were assessed using Franz-type diffusion cells. LTN serum significantly (P≤0.05) decreased expression of genes associated with melanogenesis. Median ITAs indicated paler skin color when treated with LTN serum compared with control (51.3° vs 28.9°). Electron micrographs demonstrated that LTN serum affected melanosome development and promoted melanosome degradation in melanocytes and keratinocytes. The LTN serum formulation is optimally designed to facilitate delivery of TXA and PER into epidermis and dermis. LTN serum led to greater inhibition of melanin production versus comparator formulations. LTN serum is the first topical to target 6 key pathways in the melanin life cycle, including melanosome degradation, aimed at improving the appearance of hyperpigmentation. Overall, our in vitro results reinforce observed clinical efficacy while providing further mechanistic insights into LTN serum treatment effects. The LTN serum may be a potential long-term, HQ-free treatment option for patients with hyperpigmentation.",
  "abstract_shown": true,
  "affiliations": [
    "Research and Development, Skincare, Allergan Aesthetics, an AbbVie company, Irvine, CA, USA.",
    "Department of Dermatology, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA.",
    "Executive Leadership, Tioga Research, Inc., San Diego, CA, USA."
  ],
  "article_type": "research article",
  "arxiv": null,
  "author_total": 10,
  "authors": [
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Kuniko Kadoya",
      "orcid": "0000-0002-8758-6635"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Patrick Nido",
      "orcid": "0009-0006-9143-9378"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Robin Chung",
      "orcid": "0000-0002-0564-3545"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        1
      ],
      "name": "Raymond E Boissy",
      "orcid": "0000-0001-7595-2776"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        2
      ],
      "name": "Edward T Kisak",
      "orcid": "0009-0002-5657-4946"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Khadija Nader",
      "orcid": "0009-0007-2805-8983"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        2
      ],
      "name": "John M Newsam",
      "orcid": "0000-0002-2111-8038"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Tsing Cheng",
      "orcid": "0000-0001-5191-3289"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Rahul C Mehta",
      "orcid": "0000-0002-7613-5847"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Prithwiraj Maitra",
      "orcid": "0000-0002-0455-1411"
    }
  ],
  "bibtex": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/1g427ezx2v242.bib",
  "cited_by": 0,
  "doi": "10.2147/ccid.s552759",
  "fulltext_url": "https://europepmc.org/articles/PMC13744154",
  "id": "1g427ezx2v242",
  "issns": [
    "1178-7015"
  ],
  "landing_url": "https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42999605",
  "language": "eng",
  "licence": "CC-BY-NC",
  "licence_label": "CC BY-NC",
  "licence_source": "article",
  "licence_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/",
  "metadata_licence": null,
  "native_subjects": [
    [
      "openalex",
      "1307|melanin and skin pigmentation"
    ]
  ],
  "openalex": "W7225096001",
  "pdf_url": "https://europepmc.org/articles/PMC13744154?pdf=render",
  "pmcid": "PMC13744154",
  "pmid": "42999605",
  "published": "2026-11-03",
  "publisher": null,
  "ris": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/1g427ezx2v242.ris",
  "sources": [
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-11-09T15:20:34Z",
      "native_id": "MED:42999605",
      "source": "europepmc",
      "url": "https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42999605"
    }
  ],
  "subjects": [
    {
      "field": "biology",
      "origin": "openalex:1307|melanin and skin pigmentation",
      "subfield": "cell-biology"
    }
  ],
  "title": "Development of a Pigment-Correcting Serum Addressing Key Pathways in the Melanin Life Cycle.",
  "title_text": "Development of a Pigment-Correcting Serum Addressing Key Pathways in the Melanin Life Cycle.",
  "type": "peer-reviewed",
  "updated_at": "2026-11-09T15:20:34Z",
  "url": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/1g427ezx2v242",
  "venue": "Clinical, cosmetic and investigational dermatology",
  "versions": []
}