Melanin pigmentation control by 1,3-thiazolidines: does NO scavenging play a critical role?

Thiazolidine MHY 384 and structurally related compounds previously described may operate through multiple mechanisms that overall contribute to their remarkable potency in the control of melanin pigmentation. It is difficult at present to assess which is the most critical target of the action of these compounds i.e. the MSH- CREB-MITF signaling pathway activating tyrosinase expression, tyrosinase activity itself , the early stages of the melanogenesis pathway or also the NO induced melanogenesis via control of CREB phosphorylation or by direct scavenging, but it is possible that such a variety of mechanisms of action may represent an advantage of this class of compounds over other proposed skin depigmenting agents providing a useful strategy allowing to improve clinical efficacy, reducing the duration of therapy and the risk of adverse effects.