Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39532743›Full record

ArticleAesthetic plastic surgery2025

Cell-Free Fat Extract with Anti-melanogenic Property Improves the Appearance of Infraorbital Dark Circles: A Preliminary Clinical Study.

Bijun Kang, Yizuo Cai, Zhuoxuan Jia, Liudi Yao, Jiancheng Gu, Wei Li, Wenjie Zhang

Abstract read
PubMed Publisher
In one paragraph

Article in Aesthetic plastic surgery, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 3 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
3citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

3 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Review
  2. Review
  3. A Real-World Study of Polynucleotides HPT for Treating Periorbital Hyperpigmentation.Clinical, cosmetic and investigational dermatology · 2026
    Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors.

Bijun Kang *Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Shanghai 9thPeople's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Tissue Engineering, National Tissue Engineering Center of China, 639 ZhiZaoJu Road, Shanghai, 200011, China.
Yizuo Cai *Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Shanghai 9thPeople's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Tissue Engineering, National Tissue Engineering Center of China, 639 ZhiZaoJu Road, Shanghai, 200011, China.
Zhuoxuan JiaDepartment of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Shanghai 9thPeople's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Tissue Engineering, National Tissue Engineering Center of China, 639 ZhiZaoJu Road, Shanghai, 200011, China.
Liudi YaoSEME Cell Technology Co., Ltd, 68 East Jiangchuan Road, Shanghai, 200241, China.
Jiancheng GuDepartment of Plastic Surgery, Shanghai Basilica Clinic, Shanghai, 200030, China.
Wei LiDepartment of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Shanghai 9thPeople's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Tissue Engineering, National Tissue Engineering Center of China, 639 ZhiZaoJu Road, Shanghai, 200011, China. liweiboshi@163.com.
Wenjie ZhangDepartment of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Shanghai 9thPeople's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Tissue Engineering, National Tissue Engineering Center of China, 639 ZhiZaoJu Road, Shanghai, 200011, China. wenjieboshi@aliyun.com.ORCID 0000-0002-6878-8127

Funding

National Natural Science Foundation of China 81771993Shanghai Collaborative Innovation Program on Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research 2019CXJQ01
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundThe formation of infraorbital dark circles involves various factors including hyperpigmentation, skin aging and laxity. This study is to investigate whether cell-free fat extract (CEFFE) inhibits melanin synthesis and improves the appearance of infraorbital dark circles.

methodsImaging systems analysed the melanin content in three groups of zebrafish embryos treated with 0 (CTRL), 100, and 200μg/mL of CEFFE. Eleven patients with infraorbital dark circles were enrolled and received intradermal injections of autologous CEFFE. Clinical trial assessments included subjective assessments (Global Aesthetic Improvement Scale and Likert satisfaction scale) and objective assessments (standard two-dimensional photographs, VISIA® photographs, and infraorbital skin colour measurement).

resultsIn the experiment of zebrafish embryos, the melanin content of CEFFE treatment was significantly reduced. In clinical trial, 72.73% of patients considered CEFFE treatment for infraorbital dark circles to be effective, and more than half of the patients were satisfied with the treatment. In the evaluation of skin colour at the inner, middle, and outer edges of the infraorbital dark circles, there was a gradual improvement in infraorbital skin colour after each treatment and at the 3-month follow-up, with a statistically significant improvement in skin colour on the outer edge of the infraorbital dark circles (p < 0.05). Simultaneously, we observed a reduction in periocular wrinkles, with a significant difference at the 3-month follow-up (p < 0.05). The events observed included bruising, erythema, and oedema, which resolved spontaneously.

conclusionOur study demonstrated that CEFFE inhibits melanogenesis and is a safe and effective treatment for infraorbital dark circles. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE IV: This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .

Indexed as

HyperpigmentationMelaninsSkin AgingSkin PigmentationAdipose TissueAdultAnimalsFemaleHumansInjections, IntradermalMaleMiddle AgedPatient SatisfactionTreatment OutcomeZebrafishMelaninsAnti-melanogenesisCell-free fat extractHyperpigmentationInfraorbital dark circlesPeriocular wrinkles

Identifiers

PMID39532743

What OpenQuestion holds

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.