Melanostatin DM 200mg (Topical)

Melanostatin DM 200mg

Melanostatin DM is an inhibitor of a-melanocyte stimulating hormone (a-MSH), which is the primary hormone that controls production of melanin pigment. By inhibiting the effects of a-MSH, Melanostatin DM is able to lighten skin tone and even out skin coloration in laboratory experiments. It may be useful for the treatment of photodamage (skin discoloration due to sun exposure) as well as other conditions in which melanin production needs to be reduced.

Research Application

Melanostatin DM is being actively invested in animal and in vitro models for its ability to interfere with melanin production. The molecule is thought to interfere with tyrosinase activity by inhibiting the actions of a-MSH [1]. It may be useful in the treatment of disease that cause skin discoloration, such as Addison’s disease and diabetes.

What Is Melanostatin DM?

Melanostatin DM (His-D-Arg-Ala-Trp-D-Phe-Lys) is a synthetic version of melanostatin, a naturally occurring molecule derived from oxytocin. Melanostatin (also called melanocyte-inhibiting factor) is made up of just three amino acids (Pro-Leu-Gly) and is capable of blocking the effects of the opioid receptor, activating dopamine receptors, and inhibiting the release of neuropeptides like a-MSH [2]. Melanostatin DM, due to its extended amino acid sequence and structure, has been shown to affect only a-MSH signaling in animal studies.

What Does Melanostatin DM Do?

Melanostatin DM is a radiance promoter and whitening agent [3]. That means that it can interfere with the synthesis of melanin to lighten skin tone and reduce pigmentation. In animal models, Melanostatin DM has been found to antagonize a-MSH, a common signaling molecular that tells melanocytes (pigment cells) to product melanin. a-MSH can increase in humans during pregnancy, as a result of sun exposure, and in certain disease states.

By interfering with the effects of a-MSH, Melanostatin DM can prevent the tyrosinase enzyme from being activated. Tyrosinase is directly responsible for the production of melanin. By preventing melanin production, Melanostatin DM can prevent and reverse skin darkening.

Melanostatin DM Research and the Reduction in Skin Discoloration

In animal studies and during testing in human skin cells grown in the laboratory, Melanostatin DM has been shown to significantly reduce the production of melanin in melanocytes. In most cases, melanostatin can inhibit about 25% of melanin production. Unfortunately, most of the research on this molecule is propriety and thus cannot be accessed.