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Copyright @ Pol J Cosmetol
Pol J Cosmetol 2020, 23(4): 227-231pl  Melanogenesis and role of melanin in human bodyAnna Gorąca 1/, Agnieszka Skibska 2/, Beata Skibska 3/ 1/ Wyższa Szkoła Kosmetyki i Nauk o Zdrowiu w Łodzi 2/ absolwent, Zakład Kosmetologii i Dermatologii Estetycznej, Uniwersytet Medyczny w Łodzi 3/ Zakład Farmacji Aptecznej, Katedra Farmacji Stosowanej, Uniwersytet Medyczny w Łodzi Summary Melanins is a group of pigments responsible for skin pigmentation. They are also responsible for the color of the hair, iris, feathers and fur of animals, and are involved in protecting cells against UV radiation, free radicals and gamma rays. Melanins are synthesized in melanocytes, which in the skin are surrounded by keratinocytes and the Langerhans cell. There are 3 types of melanins: eumelanin, pheomelanin and allomelanins. The enzyme involved in the synthesis of melanin in in human body is L-tyrosinase, which is also involved in the process of wound healing and the primary immune response in sponges, plants and some invertebrates. Bacterial tyrosinase contributes to the formation of humus in the soil by combining various aromatic compounds. L-tyrosinase inhibitors are regulators of the melanogenesis process. They belong to the reversible inhibitors and are divided into 4 types: competitive, non-competitive, mixed and slow-binding. Plants, fungi and bacteria are the source of inhibitors. The best known inhibitor is kojic acid, which is used to lighten skin hyperpigmentation in cosmetology. Key words: melanogenesis, melanin, tyrosine |