Using co-culture of keratinocytes and melanocytes to evaluate the potential of the cashew nut shell liquid (CNSL) as a despigment agent

• Grant number: 10/05824-3
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: August 01, 2010
• End date: July 31, 2012
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Morphology - Cytology and Cell Biology
• Principal Investigator: Monica Beatriz Mathor
• Grantee: Monica Beatriz Mathor
• Host Institution: Instituto de Pesquisas Energéticas e Nucleares (IPEN). Secretaria de Desenvolvimento Econômico (São Paulo - Estado). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated researchers: Cesar Isaac ; Patricia Santos Lopes

Abstract

Popular reports indicate the use of cashew nut shell liquid (CNSL) as a skin despigmentante agent. The CNSL is a liquid resin inside the cashew nut shell, highly viscous, strong odor, its color varies from light to dark Brown to Black, depending on the extraction method used. This study proposes to cultivate melanocytes and keratinocytes in co-culture and then treat them with CNSL. The L-DOPA, melanogenesis-stimulating agent, melanin production way, responsible for skin pigmentation, will be used in co-culture to evaluate the CNSL as an inhibitor of melanogenesis. Hydroquinone known as a melanogenic pathway inhibitor will be used in co-culture as positive control. For the use of CNSL in co-culture will be necessary to perform solubility test and the identification of phototoxic potential by phototoxicity and cytotoxicity in vitro tests. (AU)