Cuttlefish Ink-Derived Microneedles Show Potential for Vitiligo Repigmentation
Key Takeaways
- Researchers developed fast-dissolving microneedles combining cuttlefish ink-derived melanin nanoparticles, dipotassium glycyrrhizinate, and skin-derived exosomes as an experimental vitiligo treatment.
- In vitro, the microneedles reduced reactive oxygen species and several vitiligo-associated inflammatory mediators.
- In a mouse model of vitiligo, treatment increased skin melanin content and reduced whitening degree by 15.5%, supporting further investigation of the platform.
Researchers have developed a fast-dissolving microneedle platform designed to address oxidative stress, inflammation, melanocyte loss, and depigmentation in vitiligo, according to a preclinical study published in Marine Life Science & Technology.
Cuttlefish Ink-Derived Melanin Microneedles Target Vitiligo Microenvironment
The experimental C/D/E@MN platform combined cuttlefish ink nanoparticles (CINPs) for melanin supplementation, dipotassium glycyrrhizinate (DPG) to regulate inflammation, and skin-derived exosomes (EXO) intended to promote melanocyte proliferation. Researchers evaluated swellable, slow-dissolving, and fast-dissolving microneedle formulations to identify a delivery approach with greater therapeutic activity.
In vitro testing showed that the fast-dissolving microneedles (FDMN) significantly reduced cellular reactive oxygen species and secretion of inflammatory cytokines and chemokines associated with vitiligo, including IL-8, CXCL-16, and HMGB-1.
The investigators then evaluated C/D/E@FDMN in a mouse model of vitiligo. Treatment significantly increased skin melanin content and produced a 15.5% reduction in whitening degree. The authors attributed the observed repigmentation to combined antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and cell-proliferative effects.
The authors noted the findings remain preclinical, and the abstract did not report human safety or efficacy data.
“The microneedles protected melanocytes and promoted lesion repigmentation through synergistic antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and cyto-proliferative mechanisms, offering a promising strategy for improved vitiligo therapy,” the authors wrote in the abstract.
Source
Li W, et al. Marine Life Science. Technol. 2026;8(3):798-809. doi:10.1007/s42995-025-00318-5