title: The combination of a retinoid, a phenolic agent and an antioxidant improves tolerance while retaining an optimal depigmenting action in reconstructed epidermis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Cutaneous pigmented lesions urge the need to find safe and effective treatments to lighten the skin.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to combine a retinoid (retinaldehyde), a new phenolic agent (4-(1-phenylethyl)-resorcinol) and a proreducing agent (δ-tocopheryl-β-D-glucopyranoside) to achieve synergistic actions for skin lightening.
  
  
  METHODS
  The tolerance profile and the depigmenting properties of these agents were assessed in murine keratinocyte and melanocyte cell lines, as well as in a 3-dimensional model of reconstructed epidermis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Retinaldehyde and 4-(1-phenylethyl)-resorcinol induced a significant decrease of tissue viability in reconstructed epidermis, but this cytotoxicity was prevented by the addition of δ-tocopheryl-β-D-glucopyranoside. The combination of the three agents was, however, efficient in decreasing the specific melanin content and the density of active melanocytes.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A combination of various chemicals acting via different mechanisms allows a decrease in the toxicity of each compound alone while retaining optimal skin-lightening properties.
authors.affiliation: Swiss Centre for Applied Human Toxicology, University of Geneva, Switzerland.
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Sorg
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Kasraee
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Salomon
authors.forename: J H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Saurat
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004817:Epidermis / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D015603:Keratinocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D008544:Melanocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D019800:Phenol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012118:Resorcinols / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012176:Retinoids / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012880:Skin Pigmentation / Q000187:drug effects*; D016038:Skin Transplantation
chemical_list: C000604904:4-(1-phenylethyl)resorcinol; D000975:Antioxidants; D012118:Resorcinols; D012176:Retinoids; D019800:Phenol