Tranexamic Acid in Dermatology: Exploring Its Antioxidant Activity and Therapeutic Potential for Melasma

Year 2025, Volume: 45 Issue: 4, 338 - 344, 01.12.2025

Merve Nenni , Tuğba Tehçi

https://doi.org/10.52794/hujpharm.1669708

Abstract

Melasma, a condition causing uneven brown patches on the forehead, cheeks, and chin, is classified into epidermal, dermal, mixed, and indeterminate types. Treatment options include tranexamic acid (TXAA), which has been increasingly used recently. The 2,2′-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging assay is a widely accepted and often employed test for quantifying the overall antioxidant capacity of substances. The DPPH method was used to calculate the antioxidant scavenging percentages of TXAA and ascorbic acid (vitamin C). TXAA showed a DPPH radical scavenging activity of 60.77±0.34% at 50,000 ppm, while ascorbic acid showed a DPPH radical scavenging activity of 95.77±0.59% at 1000 ppm. Ascorbic acid is a known powerful antioxidant. After examining the results, it is clear that TXAA exhibits antioxidant activity, although it is less potent than the antioxidant effect of ascorbic acid.

Keywords

Tranexamic acid , DPPH , Antioxidant , Ascorbic acid

Ethical Statement

This study does not require ethics committee approval.

Supporting Institution

No funding

Project Number

-

Thanks

No need for thanks

References

• 1. Zanieri F, Assad GB, Campolmi P, Lotti T. Melasma: Successful treatment with pidobenzone 4%(K5® lipogel). Dermatologic Therapy. 2008;21:S18-S9. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1529-8019.2008.00197.x
• 2. Artzi O, Horovitz T, Bar-Ilan E, Shehadeh W, Koren A, Zusmanovitch L, et al. The pathogenesis of melasma and implications for treatment. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology. 2021;20(11):3432-45. https://doi.org/10.1111/jocd.14382
• 3. Sachdeva S. Comparative efficacy of 10-20% trichloroacetic acid and 35-70% glycolic acid peel in 60 cases of melasma, freckles, lentigines and postinflammatory hyperpigmentation. Journal of Pakistan Association of Dermatologists. 2006;16(2):76-80.
• 4. Achar A, Rathi SK. Melasma: a clinico-epidemiological study of 312 cases. Indian journal of dermatology. 2011;56(4):380. https://doi.org/10.4103/0019-5154.84722
• 5. McKesey J, Tovar-Garza A, Pandya AG. Melasma treatment: an evidence-based review. American journal of clinical dermatology. 2020;21:173-225. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40257-019-00488-w
• 6. Babbush KM, Babbush RA, Khachemoune A. Treatment of melasma: a review of less commonly used antioxidants. International Journal of Dermatology. 2021;60(2):166-73. https://doi.org/10.1111/ijd.15133
• 7. Nenni M, Karahüseyin S. Antioxidant Capacity of Essential Oils Obtained from Myrtus communis L. and Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck Plants Widely Consumed in Adana Region. Cumhuriyet Science Journal. 2023;44(3):470-3. https://doi.org/10.17776/csj.1195938
• 8. Kayiran SD, Özkan EE, Kara EM, Bektaş NY, Özden T, Nenni M. Determination of the chemical composition, antioxidant potential of Sambucus ebulus L.(dwarf elder) fruit extracts and investigation of antimicrobial activity on Trichophyton rubrum (Castell.) Sabour and some microorganisms. İstanbul Journal of Pharmacy. 2022;52(2):148-55. https://doi.org/10.26650/IstanbulJPharm.2022.929762
• 9. Güven UM, Kayiran SD, Aygül A, Nenni M, Kirici S. Design of microemulsion formulations loaded Scutellaria salviifolia Benth, Sideritis libanotica Labill. subsp. linearis (Bentham) Bornm, and Ziziphora clinopodioides Lam. extracts from Turkey and in vitro evaluation of their biological activities. Turkish Journal of Botany. 2021;45(8):789-99. https://doi.org/10.3906/bot-2108-50
• 10. Brand-Williams W, Cuvelier M-E, Berset C. Use of a free radical method to evaluate antioxidant activity. LWT-Food science and Technology. 1995;28(1):25-30. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0023-6438(95)80008-5
• 11. Blois MS. Antioxidant determinations by the use of a stable free radical. Nature. 1958;181(4617):1199-200.
• 12. Sheffer AL, Fearon DT, Austen KF, Rosen FS. Tranexamic acid: preoperative prophylactic therapy for patients with hereditary angioneurotic edema. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. 1977;60(1):38-40. https://doi.org/10.1016/0091-6749(77)90080-X
• 13. Lee HC, Thng TGS, Goh CL. Oral tranexamic acid (TA) in the treatment of melasma: a retrospective analysis. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. 2016;75(2):385-92. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaad.2016.03.001
• 14. Forbat E, Al-Niaimi F, Ali F. The emerging importance of tranexamic acid in dermatology. Clinical and Experimental Dermatology. 2020;45(4):445-9. https://doi.org/10.1111/ced.14115
• 15. Wu S, Shi H, Wu H, Yan S, Guo J, Sun Y, et al. Treatment of melasma with oral administration of tranexamic acid. Aesthetic plastic surgery. 2012;36:964-70. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00266-012-9899-9
• 16. Mafune E, Morimoto Y, Iizuka Y. Tranexamic acid and melasma. Farumashia. 2008;44:437-42.
• 17. Cho HH, Choi M, Cho S, Lee JH. Role of oral tranexamic acid in melasma patients treated with IPL and low fluence QS Nd: YAG laser. Journal of Dermatological Treatment. 2013;24(4):292-6. https://doi.org/10.3109/09546634.2011.643220
• 18. Li Y, Sun Q, He Z, Fu L, He C, Yan Y. Treatment of melasma with oral administration of compound tranexamic acid: a preliminary clinical trial. Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology. 2014;28(3):393-4. https://doi.org/10.1111/jdv.12209
• 19. Aamir S, Naseem R. Oral tranexamic acid in treatment of melasma in Pakistani population: a pilot study. Journal of Pakistan Association of Dermatologists. 2014;24(3):198-203.
• 20. Sahu PJ, Singh AL, Kulkarni S, Madke B, Saoji V, Jawade S. Study of oral tranexamic acid, topical tranexamic acid, and modified Kligman’s regimen in treatment of melasma. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology. 2020;19(6):1456-62. https://doi.org/10.1111/jocd.13430
• 21. Qu Y, Wang F, Liu J, Xia X. Clinical observation and dermoscopy evaluation of fractional CO2 laser combined with topical tranexamic acid in melasma treatments. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology. 2021;20(4):1110-6. https://doi.org/10.1111/jocd.13992
• 22. Gamea MM, Kamal DA, Donia AA, Hegab DS. Comparative study between topical tranexamic acid alone versus its combination with autologous platelet rich plasma for treatment of melasma. Journal of Dermatological Treatment. 2022;33(2):798-804. https://doi.org/10.1080/09546634.2020.1781755
• 23. Xing X, Chen L, Xu Z, Jin S, Zhang C, Xiang L. The efficacy and safety of topical tranexamic acid (liposomal or lotion with microneedling) versus conventional hydroquinone in the treatment of melasma. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology. 2020;19(12):3238-44. https://doi.org/10.1111/jocd.13810
• 24. Wanitphakdeedecha R, Sy-Alvarado F, Patthamalai P, Techapichetvanich T, Eimpunth S, Manuskiatti W. The efficacy in treatment of facial melasma with thulium 1927-nm fractional laser-assisted topical tranexamic acid delivery: a split-face, double-blind, randomized controlled pilot study. Lasers in Medical Science. 2020;35:2015-21. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10103-020-03045-8