Network Pharmacology Approach to Explore the Skin-Lightening Compounds and Potential Mechanisms of Chinese Herbal Medicines.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Herbal formulations have been used for skin whitening in China for centuries, yet systematic evaluations of their efficacy and underlying mechanisms remain limited. This study aims to identify potential anti-melanogenic compounds in traditional skin-whitening herbs using network pharmacology and investigate their mechanisms of action.

Methods

The Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology (TCMSP) database was used to screen for anti-melanogenic compounds and their potential targets. A protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed using Cytoscape 3.7.2, followed by KEGG pathway enrichment analysis. The pharmacological effects were assessed in a 3D human skin model, and in vitro experiments were conducted to explore the molecular mechanisms of t

SUBMITTER: Liang Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12680926 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature