Cited by 95melanin and skin pigmentationOral Health Pathology and TreatmentDermatologic Treatments and Research

The effect of Vitamin C on melanin pigmentation – A systematic review

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Sanadi, Rizwan M, Deshmukh, Revati S·2020·Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology

Abstract

Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, is used as a treatment modality in depigmentation of hyperpigmented spots on the skin and gingiva. This systematic review discusses the studies conducted to assess the effect of Vitamin C on melanin pigmentation. The primary objective was to evaluate the effect of Vitamin C on melanin pigmentation. The secondary objective was to analyze the effect of Vitamin C administration on melanin pigmentation. An electronic database search was conducted from the following databases: PubMed, EBSCOhost, ScienceOpen, EMBASE and Google Scholar. Randomized controlled trials, experimental studies, case–control studies and cohort studies published in peer-reviewed journals in English language were included. Case reports, case series, animal model studies, in vitro studies, studies where Vitamin C was used along with other agents and unpublished research were excluded. Out of 22,580 studies, only 7 studies satisfied the selection criteria. Data extraction sheet was prepared, and the studies were analyzed. Out of the 7 studies analyzed, 1 was a randomized controlled trial and 6 were experimental studies. Vitamin C has been used widely as a depigmenting agent in dermatology. However, there are limited studies conducted on the use of Vitamin C for gingival depigmentation.

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Authors
Sanadi, R. M., & Deshmukh, R. S.
Affiliations
  • Department of Periodontics, Dr GD Pol Foundation's YMT Dental College, Kharghar, Sector - 4, Navi Mumbai and PhD Student, Pune, Maharashtra, India
  • Department of Oral Pathology and Microbiology, Bharati Vidyapeeth Deemed to be University, Dental College and Hospital, Satara Road, Katraj, Dhankawadi, Pune, Maharashtra, India
Corresponding author
Sanadi, Rizwan M
Venue
Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology
Published
2020-05
Volume
24
Issue
2
Pages
374-382
ISSN
  • 0973-029X (ISSN-L)
  • 1998-393X
OpenAlex
W3088738647
Cited by
95
References
6
Citations by year
2026: 15 · 2025: 22 · 2024: 26 · 2023: 19 · 2022: 10 · 2021: 3
FWCI
0.95
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
cc-by-nc-sa
Locations
  • Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc-sa)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Cell Biology › melanin and skin pigmentation
  • Health Sciences › Dentistry › Periodontics › Oral Health Pathology and Treatment
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Dermatology › Dermatologic Treatments and Research
Keywords
vitamin C, melanin pigmentation, depigmentation, hyperpigmented skin lesions, gingival hyperpigmentation, gingival depigmentation

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