Systematic Review Explores Thiamidol’s Impact on Hyperpigmentation

10/23/2024

Data from a recent systematic review of 14 clinical studies shows topical isobutylamido thiazolyl resorcinol (ITR) provides statistically significant improvement in various types of hyperpigmentation, including melasma, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH), and UV-induced hyperpigmentation.

"Tyrosinase is the rate-limiting enzyme of melanogenesis and thus an ideal inhibitory target for treating hyperpigmentation," the authors wrote. "There are many commercially available tyrosinase inhibitors with limited clinical efficacy. A recent screen of 50,000 compounds found ITR to be the most potent inhibitor of human tyrosinase."

The authors sought to characterize the current evidence for the efficacy and adverse effects of ITR in treating hyperpigmentation. For the final analysis, the authors focused on thirteen of the studies looking at ITR as a treatment for hyperpigmentation (one study investigated its preventative effects). 

According to the evidence they uncovered, all studies found that ITR provided improvements to hyperpigmentation conditions. A topical formulation containing 0.1% to 0.2% ITR applied two to four times daily over a period of 12 to 24 weeks led to significant improvements. For UV-induced hyperpigmentation, prevention was achieved with twice-daily ITR application over three weeks (P < 0.001).

"Topical ITR can significantly reduce hyperpigmentation, however, the evidence for its use is limited," the researchers concluded. "Further investigation is warranted to identify the optimal dosage and application schedule of ITR, as well as compare the efficacy of ITR vs hydroquinone to determine if ITR is superior to the current standard of care."

Source: Klein P, et al. Journal of Drugs in Dermatology. 2024;23(11):986-991.  Doi:10.36849/JDD.7985

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