Extracellular Lipase of Malassezia as Anti Dandruff Drug Target: A Review

Abstract

Wong H. Wijaya, Kris H Timotius and Jonathan K. Wijaya.

This review seeks to answer how is the adaptation of Malassezia spp. for their indwelling life in scalp; what are the roles of extracellular enzymes as a virulence factor in the pathogenesis of Malassezia for dandruff/seborrheic dermatitis; and how can Indonesian herbal materials be screened as potential anti-dandruff drug by observing their ability to inhibit extracellular lipase of Malassezia. Three species of Malassezia (M. furfur, M. globosa and M. restrica) are commonly indwelling in the scalp-skin either in normal healthy individuals, or in patients with dandruff/seborrheic dermatitis. The infectious lipolytic Malassezia spp. are adapted with the scalp-skin environment and depend significantly on fatty acid supplement. To be able to live in the scalp, extracellular lipases are produced by Malassezia. Their invasive pathogenicity is dependent on high activities and production of extracellular lipases which plays a significant role in the survival and virulence of Malassezia. Therefore, these lipases may become the main target in screening for anti-dandruff drugs. For this purpose, several Indonesian herbal materials can be screened due to their potentials as lipase inhibitor.