Rhododenol-induced cyotoxicity: proposed mechanism of action

• Rhododenol (Rhododendrol) is phenolic compound known to induce leucoderma. Another similar compound causing this is hydroquinone monomethyl ether
• The authors did a study in human melanoma B16f10 cells:
  • Rhododenol 4, 4-hydroxyphenyl (R44HPB) 2-butanol increased The ROS (Radical Oxygen Species) H2O2 in B16f10cells
  • The increase in the ROS H2O2 occurs when R44HPB is oxydized into quinone-tyrosinase. during oxydzation process h2o2
  • The Copper attached to tyrosinase is reacts with H2O2 (Fenton reaction) thus stopping the production of melanin.

• Therefore rhododenol probably acts by interacting with copper in tyrosinase.
• It could thus explain leukoderma, which mecanism is still unknown.

Contributors

Dr Christophe Hsu – dermatologist. Geneva, Switzerland

Source of information: p13-07 Nagata T. Specific cytotoxicities of rhodedendrol (rhododenol)l and raspberry ketone on B16 melanoma by increasing intracellular reactive oxygen species level. JSID Annual Meeting (Japanese Society of Investigative Dermatology) 2014 – Osaka, Japan