Kojic acid

Kojic acid is a substance produced by Aspergillus oryzae that is orally effective and can also be absorbed transdermally. Kojic acid exhibits various biological activities, including anti-aging, anti-nematode, antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory effects. Kojic acid is a Tyrosinase inhibitor with an Mushroom Tyrosinase IC50 of 182.7 μM. Kojic acid prevents melanin production by capturing copper ions that bind to the tyrosinase active site, thus inhibiting its activation. Kojic acid also suppresses the NF-κB and p21 signaling pathways in human keratinocytes. Kojic acid derivatives have anticancer activity[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8].

Product Specifications

CAS Number

[501-30-4]

UNSPSC

12352005

Hazard Statement

H302, H351

Target

CDK; NF-κB; Parasite; Tyrosinase

Type

Natural Products

Related Pathways

Anti-infection; Cell Cycle/DNA Damage; Metabolic Enzyme/Protease; NF-κB

Applications

COVID-19-immunoregulation

Field of Research

Cancer; Infection; Inflammation/Immunology

Assay Protocol

https://www.medchemexpress.com/Kojic_acid.html

Purity

99.99

Solubility

DMSO : ≥ 100 mg/mL|H2O : 50 mg/mL (ultrasonic)

Smiles

O=C1C=C(CO)OC=C1O

Molecular Formula

C6H6O4

Molecular Weight

142.11

Precautions

H302, H351

References & Citations

[1]Wei X, et al. Kojic acid inhibits senescence of human corneal endothelial cells via NF-κB and p21 signaling pathways. Exp Eye Res. 2018 Dec 28;180:174-183.|[2]Burnett C L, et al. Final report of the safety assessment of kojic acid as used in cosmetics[J]. International journal of toxicology, 2010, 29 (6_suppl) : 244S-273S.|[3]Saeedi M, et al. Kojic acid applications in cosmetic and pharmaceutical preparations. Biomed Pharmacother. 2019 Feb;110:582-593. doi: 10.1016/j.biopha.2018.12.006.|[4]Kim T Y, et al. Nematicidal activity of kojic acid produced by Aspergillus oryzae against Meloidogyne incognita[J]. Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology, 2016, 26 (8) : 1383-1391.|[5]Zilles J C, et al. Biological activities and safety data of kojic acid and its derivatives: A review[J]. Experimental dermatology, 2022, 31 (10) : 1500-1521.|[6]Kai H, et al. Assessment of the effect of arbutin isomers and kojic acid on melanin production, tyrosinase activity, and tyrosinase expression in B16-4A5 and HMV-II melanoma cells[J]. Planta Medica Letters, 2015, 2 (01) : e39-e41.|[7]Karakaya G, et al. Synthesis and cytotoxic evaluation of kojic acid derivatives with inhibitory activity on melanogenesis in human melanoma cells[J]. Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry (Formerly Current Medicinal Chemistry-Anti-Cancer Agents), 2018, 18 (15) : 2137-2148.|[8]Khan A, et al. Antioxidative and Anti-inflammatory Effects of Kojic Acid in Aβ-Induced Mouse Model of Alzheimer's Disease. Mol Neurobiol. 2021 Oct;58 (10) :5127-5140.