N-acetyl-4-S-cysteaminylphenol as a new type of depigmenting agent for the melanoderma of patients with melasma.

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND DESIGN:

--Melasma is a difficult medical problem to treat. Hydroquinone is administered to many patients, but it is unstable and local irritation and dermatitis may develop after a prolonged use at a high concentration. This study introduces a new depigmenting agent, N-acetyl-4-S-cysteaminylphenol, for better management of melanoderma in patients with melasma.

RESULTS:

--Our study, based on a retrospective observation of 12 patients using 4% N-acetyl-4-S-cysteaminylphenol in oil-in-water emulsion, showed a complete loss (8%), a marked improvement (66%), or a moderate improvement (25%) of melasma lesions. Visible changes of melanoderma can be seen in 2 to 4 weeks after daily topical application. This depigmentation was associated with a decrease in the number of functioning melanocytes and in the number of melanosomes transferred to keratinocytes. N-acetyl-4-S-cysteaminylphenol is the tyrosinase substrate, and, on exposure to tyrosinase, it formed a melanin-like pigment.

CONCLUSIONS:

--A phenolic thioether, N-acetyl-4-S-cysteaminylphenol, is a new type of depigmenting agent for the better management of melasma. It is much more stable and less irritating to the skin than hydroquinone, and it is specific to melanin-synthesizing cells.

• Authors: K Jimbow
• Journal: Archives of dermatology (Arch Dermatol) Vol. 127 Issue 10 Pg. 1528-34 (Oct 1991) ISSN: 0003-987X [Print] United States
• PMID: 1929460 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Antineoplastic Agents
• Cysteamine
• 4-S-cysteaminylphenol

Topics

• Adult
• Antineoplastic Agents (therapeutic use)
• Cysteamine (analogs & derivatives, therapeutic use)
• Female
• Humans
• Male
• Melanosis (complications, drug therapy, pathology)
• Microscopy, Electron
• Middle Aged
• Skin Pigmentation (drug effects)