Abstract:
Riceberry is one of Thai agricultural products that contain high level of antioxidants. Previous studies showed that Riceberry extract was effective for inhibiting tyrosinase enzyme (Key enzyme of melanogenesis) in vitro. Hydroquinone is gold standard for treatment hypermelanosis. The mechanism of inhibit product melanin is inhibit Tyrosinase enzyme. Previous studies showed that using of Riceberry extract cream effectively reduced melanin production in human than cream base. Therefore, the objective of this research is to conduct a comparative of treatment of melasma with Riceberry extract cream and 2% Hydroquinone cream. The study was double-blind, randomized, controlled clinical Trial. 24 Females with melasma on their faces completed the study. Volunteers were randomly applied Riceberry extract cream and 2% Hydroquinone cream to one side of face everyday (twice a day). This study involved 12 weeks of treatment. The skin color was measured before treatment and at 4th, 8th and 12th week by Mexameter MX18. Photographic images of each side of face were captured using visia camera before treatment and 12th week. The result revealed that Riceberry extract cream and 2% Hydroquinone cream was found effective on melanin decreasing in the 4th week and level of mean melanin index continued to decrease at the 12th week with the comparison by conducting statistics t-test with significant number at 0.05. The result shows that the 2 treatments were no statistically significant difference. The dermatologists evaluation and volunteer satisfaction were rated mostly at high satisfaction for both Riceberry extract cream and 2% Hydroquinone cream with no statistically significant difference between both sides. No treatment-related side effects were observed. The conclusion is Riceberry extract cream and 2% Hydroquinone cream have no difference on efficiency in melanin reduction for the treatment of melasma. And it also revealed that the Riceberry extract cream has less side effect than 2% Hydroquinone cream. Therefore it can be one of the alternative treatment for people with Melasma because they can use it for long term with less side effect.