There are, broadly speaking, three classes of functional extracts from Mahakanni herb (Eclipta alba). These are Maka, Mahakanni, Mahakanni STLC.

This paper concentrates on the functionality of Mahakanni STLC and its UV absorption components. These components are complex in nature and the action of Mahakanni relies not solely on the direct action of these components, but on their ability to react safely with components of the skin to produce an excellent and efficient self-tanning agent. It is the result of the reaction of the components of Mahakanni with the skin, that results in its excellent UV protection properties. In this respect, this interactive extract of Mahakanni is similar in function to DHA, dihydroxyacetone, other natural examples of similar functionality being henna and Sepia officinalis (squid) and octopus.

The important components of Mahakanni STLC are lawsone, 2-hydroxy-1, 4-naphthoquinone, and eumelanin, a black brown natural skin pigment, whose DNA script information is cloned into the DNA transcript of Mahakanni leaf.

The self-tanning properties and functionality of Mahakanni STLC are a result of the reaction of lawsone with the skin. This is further enhanced by the natural eumelanin in a similar totally natural reaction with keratin protein which is present in the surface of the skin. This reaction of eumelanin binding to the keratin protein is identical to the final stages of melanogenesis, the forming of darker skin after initial exposure to UV-A radiation, and absorption of UV-A and UV-B. The combination of lawsone and eumelanin form the respective sclerolawsone and scleroeumelanin compounds which are both red-brown in colour and have total UV absorption properties. These products are a result of the well documented Maillard et Browning reaction sequence. This is similar to the reaction with DHA, but novelty lies in the red-brown natural colour that is given, rather than typical yellow colour exhibited following the reaction of DHA with keratin protein.

The other unique point is the presence of natural ascorbic acid in Mahakanni STLC which further reacts with lawsone to produce hydrolawsone, which is also a recognised UV absorber. Also in the extract is the presence of complex lipids, such as phosphoglyceride derivatives, the lecithins, and phosphosphingolipids and the new, novel sphingomyelin, which almost certainly will spawn the next generation of therapeutic claims in the cosmoceutical industry within the next two years. Sphingomyelin reacts with the horny layer of the skin, forming a biological barrier film, which functions to tighten and firm loose skin and reduce trans epidermal moisture loss. Thus, when Mahakanni STLC is applied, a subtle tightening of the skin is felt, moisture loss is minimised through the action of this film which serves to reduce the convection of UV rays, i.e., the natural evaporation of skin moisture caused by high UV transmittance and absorption.

sunless self tan :
specification | dosage & application | sunless self tan | tanning without sun | novel white milk | protein p53 | commentary sunlight & skin cancer | references | product information | product technical data sheet | experimental uv index |

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