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KR-20260062465-A - Arbutin-Incorporated Agarose Hydrogel for Antioxidant, Anti-Melanogenesis, and Wound Healing Applications and method for producing the same

KR20260062465AKR 20260062465 AKR20260062465 AKR 20260062465AKR-20260062465-A

Abstract

The present invention relates to an agarose hydrogel containing arbutin having antioxidant, anti-melanin-forming, and wound-healing effects, and a method for manufacturing the same. More specifically, the invention relates to an agarose-arbutin hydrogel and a method for manufacturing the same, in which arbutin and agarose are integrated based on thermal crosslinking to enable the effective and non-toxic application of the efficacy of arbutin to the skin.

Inventors

  • 김혜영
  • 한기석
  • 안바자간 사티야슬란

Assignees

  • 강원대학교산학협력단

Dates

Publication Date
20260507
Application Date
20241029

Claims (12)

  1. A step of preparing an agarose aqueous solution (S10), wherein agarose is mixed with distilled water at 40 to 60°C for 3 to 10 minutes to prepare an agarose aqueous solution; A step (S20) for preparing an arbutin aqueous solution, wherein arbutin is mixed with distilled water at 20 to 40°C for 3 to 10 minutes; A step (S30) of preparing an agarose-arbutin mixed solution by mixing an aqueous agarose solution and the aqueous arbutin solution to prepare an agarose-arbutin mixed solution; A method for preparing an agarose hydrogel containing arbutin having antioxidant, anti-melanin-forming, and wound-healing effects, characterized by including a gelation step (S40) of preparing an agarose-arbutin hydrogel by gelling the above agarose-arbutin mixed solution.
  2. In Article 1, A method for preparing an agarose hydrogel containing arbutin having antioxidant, anti-melanin-forming, and wound-healing effects, characterized in that the agarose aqueous solution in the above agarose aqueous solution preparation step (S10) is mixed at a concentration of 0.5 to 2 weight% relative to distilled water.
  3. In Paragraph 2, A method for preparing an agarose hydrogel containing arbutin having antioxidant, anti-melanin-forming, and wound-healing effects, characterized in that the agarose aqueous solution is mixed at a concentration of 2 weight% relative to distilled water.
  4. In Article 1, A method for preparing an agarose hydrogel containing arbutin having antioxidant, anti-melanin-forming, and wound-healing effects, characterized in that the arbutin aqueous solution in the above arbutin aqueous solution preparation step (S20) is mixed at a concentration of 0.025 to 0.1 weight% relative to distilled water.
  5. In Article 1, A method for preparing an agarose hydrogel containing arbutin having antioxidant, anti-melanin-forming, and wound healing effects, characterized in that the agarose-arbutin mixed solution preparation step (S30) includes a bubble removal step (S31) of removing bubbles by ultrasonically treating the agarose-arbutin mixed solution at 150 to 250 rpm for 10 to 60 seconds.
  6. In Article 1, A method for preparing an agarose hydrogel containing arbutin having antioxidant, anti-melanin-forming, and wound healing effects, characterized in that, after the gelation step (S40), a freeze-drying step (S50) for freeze-drying the agarose-arbutin hydrogel is included, thereby enabling ease of formulation to be added to the agarose-arbutin hydrogel.
  7. An agarose hydrogel containing arbutin having antioxidant, anti-melanogenic, and wound healing effects, characterized by forming an agarose-arbutin hydrogel by gelling a mixed solution of an agarose aqueous solution mixed with an arbutin aqueous solution.
  8. In Article 7, The above-described agarose aqueous solution is an agarose hydrogel containing arbutin having antioxidant, anti-melanin-forming, and wound healing effects, characterized in that the concentration of agarose is 0.5 to 2 weight%.
  9. In Paragraph 8, An agarose hydrogel containing arbutin having antioxidant, anti-melanin-forming, and wound healing effects, characterized in that the preferred concentration of the agarose is 2 weight%.
  10. In Article 7, The above-described arbutin aqueous solution is an agarose hydrogel containing arbutin having antioxidant, anti-melanin-forming, and wound healing effects, characterized in that the concentration of arbutin is 0.025 to 0.1 weight%.
  11. In Article 7, The above agarose-arbutin hydrogel is an agarose hydrogel containing arbutin having antioxidant, anti-melanin-forming, and wound healing effects, characterized by having bubbles removed by ultrasonic treatment at 150 to 250 rpm for 10 to 60 seconds.
  12. In Article 7, The agarose-arbutin hydrogel described above is characterized by the fact that it is possible to freeze-dry the agarose-arbutin hydrogel to add ease of formulation, and is an agarose hydrogel containing arbutin having antioxidant, anti-melanin-forming, and wound healing effects.

Description

Arbutin-Incorporated Agarose Hydrogel for Antioxidant, Anti-Melanogenesis, and Wound Healing Applications and method for producing the same The present invention relates to an agarose hydrogel containing arbutin having antioxidant, anti-melanin-forming, and wound-healing effects, and a method for manufacturing the same. More specifically, the invention relates to an agarose-arbutin hydrogel and a method for manufacturing the same, in which arbutin and agarose are integrated based on thermal crosslinking to enable the effective and non-toxic application of the efficacy of arbutin to the skin. Skin whitening and pigmentation are major skincare concerns for diverse people around the world, influenced by the desire to improve uneven skin tone and cultural preferences. Therefore, the cosmetics industry is continuously developing various technologies, methods, and treatments to address these issues, with these measures aiming to brighten overall skin tone and reduce areas of hyperpigmentation. Furthermore, medical conditions such as post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, vitiligo, melasma, and rosacea require safe and effective formulations to manage their symptoms. Accordingly, the global skincare market is showing continuous growth, and topical treatments for skin whitening typically use cosmetics containing hydroquinone, kojic acid, ascorbic acid, arbutin, etc. Similarly, hyperpigmentation is often treated with the topical application of hydroquinone, retinoids, azelaic acid, and niacinamide; however, while hydroquinone is highly recommended for skin whitening and pigmentation treatment, long-term use can cause serious side effects such as ochronosis (discoloration of the skin to blue or black) and an increased risk of skin cancer. In addition to topical treatments, other methods such as chemical peels, laser therapy, microneedling, cryotherapy, and oral supplements are recommended depending on the specific condition and severity. Among topical skincare formulations, arbutin is widely considered safe due to its natural origin, and as a naturally available plant polyphenol, it is known to exist in various plant species, particularly in the Asteraceae, Proteaceae, Rosaceae, and Ericaceae families. In addition, arbutin is a hydroquinone β-D-glucopyranoside with high antioxidant and strong reducing power, as well as anti-inflammatory and anticancer activities. It also possesses anti-melanin activity by inhibiting tyrosinases similar to hydroquinone. Furthermore, the inhibition of L-dopa oxidation can block melanin synthesis. Moreover, arbutin is considered a safe alternative for skin whitening applications because it does not cause necrosis of melanocytes like hydroquinone. Biopolymer-based materials have emerged as a groundbreaking field in dermatology and cosmetic science, particularly in skincare, as they enable the inclusion of therapeutic agents for skin delivery. The inherent properties of biomaterials, such as the formation of thin films, hydrogels, and other formulations, can provide significant improvements over existing treatments. Furthermore, biopolymers enhance the stability, penetration, and efficacy of active ingredients, enabling effective skin delivery and controlled release. These physical and biological properties not only improve treatment outcomes but also minimize potential side effects, making these innovative solutions safer and more effective. Agarose is a non-cytotoxic, near-neutral charged linear polysaccharide composed of 1,4-linked 3,6-anhydro-alpha-L-galactose and 1,3-linked β-D-galactose derivatives, and is used in molecular biology and microbiology, particularly in life science research applications such as gel electrophoresis, gene mapping, immunology, and PCR analysis. In addition, specific chemical properties promote thermoreversible hydrogel formation, shape filling, and cell adhesion characteristics, and it can be utilized in tissue regeneration applications. In addition, agarose-based nanoparticles can assist in the delivery of proteins and peptides, and since they do not require additional crosslinking agents to form hydrogels, they are primarily used in various drug delivery applications. Therefore, there is a growing need to develop novel and advanced skincare materials that are cost-effective and non-toxic by incorporating arbutin, which can have efficacy in antioxidant, thyroxinase inhibition, wound healing, and cell compatibility, into an agarose hydrogel for delivery and application to the skin. Figure 1 is an image showing the aqueous phase and hydrogel phase of an agarose-arbutin hydrogel according to arbutin concentration. Figure 2 is a graph showing the FTIR analysis results of agarose-arbutin hydrogel, agarose, and arbutin. Figure 3 is a graph showing the XRD analysis results for the crystallographic characteristics of agarose and agarose-arbutin hydrogel. Figure 4 shows FE-SEM micrographs of agarose and agarose-arbutin hydrogel. Figure 5 shows images and graphs illu