title: Benzylamide derivative compound attenuates the ultraviolet B-induced hyperpigmentation in the brownish guinea pig skin.
abstract: This study evaluated the effects of synthetic benzylamide compound I (2,6-dimethoxy-N-phenylbenzamide) on the ultraviolet B (UV B)-induced hyperpigmentation of the skin. UV B-induced hyperpigmentation was elicited on brownish guinea pig skin according to the method reported by Hideya et al. [Arch Dermatol Res 290 (1998) 375] with minor modifications. A lightening effect was observed following the topical application of compound I on UV-stimulated hyperpigmentation. The skin returned to its original color after treatment with compound I. Fontana-Masson staining indicated that melanin level in the hyperpigmented area was significantly decreased in the compound I-treated animals. However, the number of melanocytes were not changed in the compound I-treated groups using the S-100 stain, which is an immunohistochemical method. In vitro experiments using the cultured melanoma cells showed a 31.7% inhibition of melanin production by compound I at 100 microM. In addition, this compound had no effect on the tyrosinase enzyme function. However, it exhibited a catalyzing effect on the dopachrome transformation into 5,6-dihydroxyindole-2-carboxylic acid. Overall, the pigment-lightening effects of the compound I may due to the dopachrome tautomerase stimulation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Herbal Pharmacology, Graduate School of East-West Medical Science, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 130-701, South Korea.
authors.forename: Sang Yoon
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.forename: Sanghee
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Jae Sung
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Hwang
authors.forename: Byeong Gon
authors.initials: BG
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Hocheol
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Sun Yeou
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Kim
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001549:Benzamides / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D006801:Humans; D017495:Hyperpigmentation / Q000517:prevention & control*; D019746:Intramolecular Oxidoreductases / Q000378:metabolism; D008543:Melanins / Q000378:metabolism; D008544:Melanocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000528:radiation effects; D014442:Monophenol Monooxygenase / Q000378:metabolism; D012867:Skin / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000528:radiation effects; D012880:Skin Pigmentation / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000528:radiation effects; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays
chemical_list: C482118:2,6-dimethoxy-N-phenylbenzamide; D001549:Benzamides; D008543:Melanins; D014442:Monophenol Monooxygenase; D019746:Intramolecular Oxidoreductases; C042501:dopachrome isomerase