Comprehensive Review of Kojic Acid and Its Derivatives: Biological Activities, Safety, and Therapeutic Potential in Depigmentation

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nThis is an unedited manuscript accepted for publication and provided as an Article in Press for early access at the author’s request. The article will undergo copyediting, typesetting, and galley proof review before final publication. Please be aware that errors may be identified during production that could affect the content. All legal disclaimers of the journal apply.n

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Year : 2025 [if 2224 equals=””]02/10/2025 at 6:16 PM[/if 2224] | [if 1553 equals=””] Volume : 16 [else] Volume : 16[/if 1553] | [if 424 equals=”Regular Issue”]Issue : [/if 424][if 424 equals=”Special Issue”]Special Issue[/if 424] [if 424 equals=”Conference”][/if 424] 02 | Page : 45 53

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    Sejal Rajendra Chaudhari, Sunila A. Patil, Amuruta N. Patil, S. P. Pawar,

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  1. Student, B. Pharm, Associate Professor, Associate Professor, Principal, Department of Pharmaceutics, P. S. G. V. P. Mandal’s College of Pharmacy, Shahada, Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, P. S. G. V. P. Mandal’s College of Pharmacy, Shahada, Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, P. S. G. V. P. Mandal’s College of Pharmacy, Shahada, Department of Pharmacy, P. S. G. V. P. Mandal’s College of Pharmacy, Shahada, Maharashtra, Maharashtra, Maharashtra, Maharashtra, India, India, India, India

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nThere are several uses for kojic acid in human medicine, particularly in depigmentation. Additionally, derivatives of it are suggested to enhance efficacy, avoid side effects, and stop chemical degradation. With an eye toward human use and an attempt to clarify the action mechanisms, the goal of this study was to review the most recent scientific literature regarding the biological activities and safety information of kojic acid or its derivatives. During the evaluation of three distinct databases, the terms “toxicity,” “adverse effect,” “efficacy,” “effect,” “activity,” and “safety” were crossed with the word “kojic.” Articles were chosen based on predetermined standards. In addition to its depigmenting properties, kojic acid and its derivatives have antitumor properties and can function as antioxidants, antimicrobials, anti-inflammatories, radioprotectors, anticonvulsants, and agents for managing obesity. Following cell penetration, the molecules bind to the active site of tyrosinase, regulating factors involved in melanogenesis, modulating leucocytes, and scavenging free radicals, which results in depigmenting activity. As a result, ligands, size, and polarity all play significant roles in activity. Certain cancerous cell lines, such as those from melanoma, ovarian, breast, colon, and hepatocellular carcinomas, are susceptible to the cytotoxicity of kojic acid and its derivatives. In terms of safety, at the tested concentrations, kojic acid or its derivatives are safe compounds for human use. Applications in medicine, pharmacology, and cosmetics could benefit greatly from kojic acid and its derivatives.nn

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Keywords: Kojic acid, activity, effect, action, safety, depigmentation

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[/if 424][if 424 equals=”Special Issue”][This article belongs to Special Issue under section in Research and Reviews: A Journal of Pharmaceutical Science (rrjops)][/if 424][if 424 equals=”Conference”]This article belongs to Conference [/if 424]

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nSejal Rajendra Chaudhari, Sunila A. Patil, Amuruta N. Patil, S. P. Pawar. [if 2584 equals=”][226 wpautop=0 striphtml=1][else]Comprehensive Review of Kojic Acid and Its Derivatives: Biological Activities, Safety, and Therapeutic Potential in Depigmentation[/if 2584]. Research and Reviews: A Journal of Pharmaceutical Science. 15/06/2025; 16(02):45-53.

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nSejal Rajendra Chaudhari, Sunila A. Patil, Amuruta N. Patil, S. P. Pawar. [if 2584 equals=”][226 striphtml=1][else]Comprehensive Review of Kojic Acid and Its Derivatives: Biological Activities, Safety, and Therapeutic Potential in Depigmentation[/if 2584]. Research and Reviews: A Journal of Pharmaceutical Science. 15/06/2025; 16(02):45-53. Available from: https://journals.stmjournals.com/rrjops/article=15/06/2025/view=0

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[if 424 not_equal=””]Regular Issue[else]Published[/if 424] Subscription Review Article

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Volume 16
[if 424 equals=”Regular Issue”]Issue[/if 424][if 424 equals=”Special Issue”]Special Issue[/if 424] [if 424 equals=”Conference”][/if 424] 02
Received 08/04/2025
Accepted 10/05/2025
Published 15/06/2025
Retracted
Publication Time 68 Days

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