Efficacy and Tolerability of a New Facial 2-Mercaptonicotinoyl Glycine-Containing Depigmenting Serum Versus Hydroquinone 4% over 3-Month Treatment of Facial Melasma

Abstract Introduction Topical treatment with hydroquinone 4% and hydroquinone-based preparations is the gold standard of care for melasma; however, it is limited by complications. 2-Mercaptonicotinoyl glycine (Melasyl™) is a new active ingredient targeting melanin synthesis without impairing the tyr...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Thierry Passeron, Delphine Kerob, Guénaëlle Le Dantec, Anne-Laure Demessant-Flavigny, Alessandro R. do Nascimento, Renato Moura, Samir Salah, Mariana Feiges, Erika Fernandez, Andrew Alexis
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Adis, Springer Healthcare 2025-06-01
Series:Dermatology and Therapy
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1007/s13555-025-01473-4
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1849388140907724800
author Thierry Passeron
Delphine Kerob
Guénaëlle Le Dantec
Anne-Laure Demessant-Flavigny
Alessandro R. do Nascimento
Renato Moura
Samir Salah
Mariana Feiges
Erika Fernandez
Andrew Alexis
author_facet Thierry Passeron
Delphine Kerob
Guénaëlle Le Dantec
Anne-Laure Demessant-Flavigny
Alessandro R. do Nascimento
Renato Moura
Samir Salah
Mariana Feiges
Erika Fernandez
Andrew Alexis
author_sort Thierry Passeron
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Introduction Topical treatment with hydroquinone 4% and hydroquinone-based preparations is the gold standard of care for melasma; however, it is limited by complications. 2-Mercaptonicotinoyl glycine (Melasyl™) is a new active ingredient targeting melanin synthesis without impairing the tyrosinase enzyme, with proven efficacy and safety. This study assessed the non-inferiority of a new facial depigmenting serum Mela B3® (MB3), containing 0.5% 2-mercaptonicotinoyl glycine, versus hydroquinone 4%. Methods This comparative, non-inferiority, randomized, investigator-blind, parallel-group investigation included adult women with mild-to-severe epidermal or mixed facial melasma. Patients received 3-month treatment with MB3 (twice daily) or hydroquinone 4% (once daily) and applied a broad spectrum SPF 50+/UVA tinted sunscreen (twice daily). Evaluations were conducted at day (D) 0, D28, D56, and D84 of treatment by a dermatologist and the patients. Non-inferiority analysis was performed at D84 on the Modified Melasma Area and Severity Index (mMASI) (non-inferiority margin 1.3). Efficacy assessments included mMASI, Melasma Quality of Life questionnaire (MELASQoL), and Patient Unique Stigmatization Holistic tool in Dermatology (PUSH-D) scores at each visit. Safety and tolerance were evaluated. Results The study included 109 women (phototypes I–IV; > 80% had phototypes III–IV). At D84, the estimated difference in mMASI score between MB3 and hydroquinone 4% was 0.46 (95% confidence interval − 0.25–1.17). Both groups demonstrated statistically significant improvements on mMASI from D28 versus baseline. The MELASQoL and PUSH-D scores decreased significantly from D28 in both groups (no difference between the groups). Nevertheless, a significant difference in the PUSH-D score was observed at D28 and D56 in favor of MB3. MB3 showed better tolerability versus hydroquinone 4% at D28 with fewer local skin reactions (6.0% versus 21.4%, respectively; p = 0.0286). Conclusion MB3 shows non-inferior efficacy and better tolerability compared with hydroquinone 4%. MB3 is an effective and well-tolerated alternative option for the topical treatment of melasma. Clinical Trial Registration NCT06787846.
format Article
id doaj-art-53ec514b410749ac8e4b7f8c1c08c569
institution Kabale University
issn 2193-8210
2190-9172
language English
publishDate 2025-06-01
publisher Adis, Springer Healthcare
record_format Article
series Dermatology and Therapy
spelling doaj-art-53ec514b410749ac8e4b7f8c1c08c5692025-08-20T03:42:23ZengAdis, Springer HealthcareDermatology and Therapy2193-82102190-91722025-06-011592379239010.1007/s13555-025-01473-4Efficacy and Tolerability of a New Facial 2-Mercaptonicotinoyl Glycine-Containing Depigmenting Serum Versus Hydroquinone 4% over 3-Month Treatment of Facial MelasmaThierry Passeron0Delphine Kerob1Guénaëlle Le Dantec2Anne-Laure Demessant-Flavigny3Alessandro R. do Nascimento4Renato Moura5Samir Salah6Mariana Feiges7Erika Fernandez8Andrew Alexis9Department of Dermatology, Côte d’Azur University, Nice University Hospital CenterLa Roche-Posay Laboratoire Dermatologique, La Roche Posay InternationalLa Roche-Posay Laboratoire Dermatologique, La Roche Posay InternationalLa Roche-Posay Laboratoire Dermatologique, La Roche Posay InternationalCentre International de Développement Pharmaceutique (CIDP)Centre International de Développement Pharmaceutique (CIDP)La Roche-Posay Laboratoire Dermatologique, La Roche Posay InternationalL’Oreal BrazilL’Oreal BrazilDepartment of Dermatology, Weill Cornell Medical CollegeAbstract Introduction Topical treatment with hydroquinone 4% and hydroquinone-based preparations is the gold standard of care for melasma; however, it is limited by complications. 2-Mercaptonicotinoyl glycine (Melasyl™) is a new active ingredient targeting melanin synthesis without impairing the tyrosinase enzyme, with proven efficacy and safety. This study assessed the non-inferiority of a new facial depigmenting serum Mela B3® (MB3), containing 0.5% 2-mercaptonicotinoyl glycine, versus hydroquinone 4%. Methods This comparative, non-inferiority, randomized, investigator-blind, parallel-group investigation included adult women with mild-to-severe epidermal or mixed facial melasma. Patients received 3-month treatment with MB3 (twice daily) or hydroquinone 4% (once daily) and applied a broad spectrum SPF 50+/UVA tinted sunscreen (twice daily). Evaluations were conducted at day (D) 0, D28, D56, and D84 of treatment by a dermatologist and the patients. Non-inferiority analysis was performed at D84 on the Modified Melasma Area and Severity Index (mMASI) (non-inferiority margin 1.3). Efficacy assessments included mMASI, Melasma Quality of Life questionnaire (MELASQoL), and Patient Unique Stigmatization Holistic tool in Dermatology (PUSH-D) scores at each visit. Safety and tolerance were evaluated. Results The study included 109 women (phototypes I–IV; > 80% had phototypes III–IV). At D84, the estimated difference in mMASI score between MB3 and hydroquinone 4% was 0.46 (95% confidence interval − 0.25–1.17). Both groups demonstrated statistically significant improvements on mMASI from D28 versus baseline. The MELASQoL and PUSH-D scores decreased significantly from D28 in both groups (no difference between the groups). Nevertheless, a significant difference in the PUSH-D score was observed at D28 and D56 in favor of MB3. MB3 showed better tolerability versus hydroquinone 4% at D28 with fewer local skin reactions (6.0% versus 21.4%, respectively; p = 0.0286). Conclusion MB3 shows non-inferior efficacy and better tolerability compared with hydroquinone 4%. MB3 is an effective and well-tolerated alternative option for the topical treatment of melasma. Clinical Trial Registration NCT06787846.https://doi.org/10.1007/s13555-025-01473-42-Mercaptonicotinoyl glycineDepigmenting serumHydroquinoneMelasmaTopical treatment
spellingShingle Thierry Passeron
Delphine Kerob
Guénaëlle Le Dantec
Anne-Laure Demessant-Flavigny
Alessandro R. do Nascimento
Renato Moura
Samir Salah
Mariana Feiges
Erika Fernandez
Andrew Alexis
Efficacy and Tolerability of a New Facial 2-Mercaptonicotinoyl Glycine-Containing Depigmenting Serum Versus Hydroquinone 4% over 3-Month Treatment of Facial Melasma
Dermatology and Therapy
2-Mercaptonicotinoyl glycine
Depigmenting serum
Hydroquinone
Melasma
Topical treatment
title Efficacy and Tolerability of a New Facial 2-Mercaptonicotinoyl Glycine-Containing Depigmenting Serum Versus Hydroquinone 4% over 3-Month Treatment of Facial Melasma
title_full Efficacy and Tolerability of a New Facial 2-Mercaptonicotinoyl Glycine-Containing Depigmenting Serum Versus Hydroquinone 4% over 3-Month Treatment of Facial Melasma
title_fullStr Efficacy and Tolerability of a New Facial 2-Mercaptonicotinoyl Glycine-Containing Depigmenting Serum Versus Hydroquinone 4% over 3-Month Treatment of Facial Melasma
title_full_unstemmed Efficacy and Tolerability of a New Facial 2-Mercaptonicotinoyl Glycine-Containing Depigmenting Serum Versus Hydroquinone 4% over 3-Month Treatment of Facial Melasma
title_short Efficacy and Tolerability of a New Facial 2-Mercaptonicotinoyl Glycine-Containing Depigmenting Serum Versus Hydroquinone 4% over 3-Month Treatment of Facial Melasma
title_sort efficacy and tolerability of a new facial 2 mercaptonicotinoyl glycine containing depigmenting serum versus hydroquinone 4 over 3 month treatment of facial melasma
topic 2-Mercaptonicotinoyl glycine
Depigmenting serum
Hydroquinone
Melasma
Topical treatment
url https://doi.org/10.1007/s13555-025-01473-4
work_keys_str_mv AT thierrypasseron efficacyandtolerabilityofanewfacial2mercaptonicotinoylglycinecontainingdepigmentingserumversushydroquinone4over3monthtreatmentoffacialmelasma
AT delphinekerob efficacyandtolerabilityofanewfacial2mercaptonicotinoylglycinecontainingdepigmentingserumversushydroquinone4over3monthtreatmentoffacialmelasma
AT guenaelleledantec efficacyandtolerabilityofanewfacial2mercaptonicotinoylglycinecontainingdepigmentingserumversushydroquinone4over3monthtreatmentoffacialmelasma
AT annelauredemessantflavigny efficacyandtolerabilityofanewfacial2mercaptonicotinoylglycinecontainingdepigmentingserumversushydroquinone4over3monthtreatmentoffacialmelasma
AT alessandrordonascimento efficacyandtolerabilityofanewfacial2mercaptonicotinoylglycinecontainingdepigmentingserumversushydroquinone4over3monthtreatmentoffacialmelasma
AT renatomoura efficacyandtolerabilityofanewfacial2mercaptonicotinoylglycinecontainingdepigmentingserumversushydroquinone4over3monthtreatmentoffacialmelasma
AT samirsalah efficacyandtolerabilityofanewfacial2mercaptonicotinoylglycinecontainingdepigmentingserumversushydroquinone4over3monthtreatmentoffacialmelasma
AT marianafeiges efficacyandtolerabilityofanewfacial2mercaptonicotinoylglycinecontainingdepigmentingserumversushydroquinone4over3monthtreatmentoffacialmelasma
AT erikafernandez efficacyandtolerabilityofanewfacial2mercaptonicotinoylglycinecontainingdepigmentingserumversushydroquinone4over3monthtreatmentoffacialmelasma
AT andrewalexis efficacyandtolerabilityofanewfacial2mercaptonicotinoylglycinecontainingdepigmentingserumversushydroquinone4over3monthtreatmentoffacialmelasma