A novel topical cream containing synthetic melanin particles may effectively promote tissue repair following sunburn- or chemical burn–related skin injuries, while also protecting against sun damage, according to preclinical findings published by Biyashev et al in npj Regenerative Medicine. Researchers explained that melanin is integral to scavenging reactive oxygen species and is upregulated in response to toxic insult. In the new study, researchers found that synthetic melanin particles reduced edema and eschar detachment time and increased the rate of wound area reduction compared with vehicle in mice with chemical burns and sunburns. After conducting immune array analyses, they identified downregulated gene expression in apoptotic and inflammatory signaling pathways consistent with a reduction in apoptosis. Further, synthetic melanin particles were found to increase superoxide dismutase activity, boost populations of anti-inflammatory immune cells on the skin, decrease Mmp9 expression, and suppress ERK1/2 phosphorylation. In human skin explants, synthetic melanin particles decreased the damage caused by chemical burns. The researchers concluded that the novel topical therapy may accelerate wound healing and may be utilized in other settings—including in patients with cancer undergoing radiation therapy.
November 22, 2023