Yale University

Michael P Osber

John M Pawelek

Seth J Orlow

Jean L Bolognia

Stefano A Sodi

A skin-whitening and suntan-inhibiting composition comprising (a) a compound which depletes glutathione, and (b) hydroquinone or an alkyl or aralkyl ether of hydroquinone.

Composition and method for whitening skin

A melanin that is soluble in an aqueous solution at a pH between 5 and 9 at a temperature of 0.degree. to 100.degree. C. Advantageously, the melanin is capable of being filtered through at least a 0.45 micron size filter, and has a molecular weight of greater than 10,000 kilodaltons. The melanin is useful for providing a naturally-appearing tan to mammalian skin and hair. Such melanin can be produced by combining dopachrome and an appropriate enzyme, or by incubating 5,6-dihydroxyindole-2-carboxylic acid alone or with 5,6-dihydroxyindole, or with 3-amino-tyrosine. The melanin is also useful for providing a sun-screen to mammalian skin and hair, to treat post-inflammatory hypo- and hyperpigmentation, to tint glass and plastic, to protect industrial materials against ultraviolet damage, and as a coloring agent in foodstuffs such as coffee, tea, soda, whiskey and liquors.

Synthetic melanin as a sunscreen and tanning agent

Synthetic melanin

A phosphorylated derivative of L-dopa of the formula ##STR1## wherein when X is ##STR2## wherein Z is --CH.sub.2, N, S or a linkage other than oxygen which renders the phosphate group resistant to hydrolysis by phosphatase enzymes in tissues and biological fluids, then Y is OQ, wherein Q is H or an alkyl with one to twelve carbon atoms, or wherein X is OQ, then Y is ##STR3## wherein R' is hydrogen or a pharmaceutically acceptable cation and R is a moiety which increases hydropobicity. The phosphorylated derivative of L-dopa is useful as an agent to increase the melanin content in mammalian skin and hair.

Growing community of inventors

Hamden, CT, United States of America

Michael P Osber