Q. Nguyen, TRAN P. Bui
Feb 1, 1995
Citations
2
Influential Citations
79
Citations
Quality indicators
Journal
International Journal of Dermatology
Abstract
Azelaic acid (AZA) is a naturally occurring saturated nine-carbon dicarboxylic acid (COOH (CH2)7-COOH). It possesses a variety of biological actions both m uitro and in vivo. Interest in the biological activity of AZA arose originally out of studies of skin surface lipids and the pathogenesis of hypochromia in pityriasis versicolor infection.' Later, it was shown that Pityrosporum can oxidize unsaturated fatty acids to Cs-Cn dicarboxylic acids that are cornpetitive inhibitors of tyrosinase in vitro.^ Azelaic acid was chosen for further investigation and development of a new topical drug for treating hyperpigmentary disorders for the following reasons: it possesses a middle-range of antityrosinase activity, is inexpensive, and more soluble to be incorporated into a base creatn than other dicarboxylic acids.