A Preliminary Systematic Literature Review of Antihyperpigmentation Studies Using Zebrafish
Keywords:
Systematic Literature Review, Zebrafish, Antihyperpigmentation, PRISMA, PICOAbstract
Abstract. Research on zebrafish (Danio rerio) as an in vivo antihyperpigmentation model is distributed across several databases and uses heterogeneous experimental designs, making a systematic and transparent selection process necessary. This study aimed to describe the systematic literature review process from formulation of the PICO framework to determination of the eligible articles. The review followed PRISMA 2020. PubMed, Scopus, and EBSCO were searched up to April 2026 using combinations of antihyperpigmentation, hyperpigmentation, zebrafish, and Danio rerio. Records were managed in Rayyan for duplicate removal, title and abstract screening, full-text retrieval, and eligibility assessment. Data from the included articles were extracted, while study quality was assessed using an adapted seven-domain SYRCLE tool and visualized with robvis. The search identified 250 records: 89 from PubMed, 102 from Scopus, and 59 from EBSCO. After 140 duplicates were removed, 110 records were screened and 52 were excluded. Of 58 reports sought, 6 were unavailable, leaving 52 reports for eligibility assessment. Twenty-seven reports were excluded because zebrafish treatment methods or effectiveness parameters were inadequately reported, resulting in 25 included articles. Selective reporting, sample-size reporting, baseline conditions, and completeness of outcome data were comparatively stronger, whereas allocation sequence, blinding, and outlier-exclusion criteria were frequently unclear. The review produced a traceable evidence base for subsequent synthesis and highlighted the need for more complete methodological reporting in zebrafish antihyperpigmentation studies.
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