Anti-Melanogenic Potential of Phenolic Fractions from Naematelia aurantialba : A Narrative Review

Abstract

Background: Naematelia aurantialba has a solid research foundation in cultivation and polysaccharide chemistry, yet the systematic characterization of its low-molecular-weight phenolic constituents lags behind, and direct evidence linking them to melanogenesis regulation is lacking. Methods: Following the Scale for the Assessment of Narrative Review Articles (SANRA), we conducted a structured narrative review of PubMed, Web of Science Core Collection, Scopus, and CNKI (from inception to September 2026); 81 studies were included and appraised within three evidence tiers and a methodological/translational reference framework. Results: N. aurantialba contains extractable and quantifiable phenolic and flavonoid constituents, its extracts exhibit chemical antioxidant activity, and processing and fermentation strategies can influence phenolic parameters; however, the evidence stops at chemical occurrence and antioxidant screening, with no compound-level confirmation, human tyrosinase or melanocyte model validation, or human pigmentation endpoint data retrieved, and analogous evidence from Sanghuangporus and Ganoderma cannot be directly extrapolated owing to species specificity. Conclusions: N. aurantialba phenolic fractions should be positioned as a candidate resource for anti-melanogenesis research rather than a proven whitening ingredient; priority should be given to phenolic-targeted liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) annotation, bioassay-guided fractionation, recombinant human tyrosinase assays, and cytotoxicity-corrected melanocyte models.

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