Antimelanogenic activity of a novel adamantyl benzylbenzamide derivative, AP736: a randomized, double‐blind, vehicle‐controlled comparative clinical trial performed in patients with hyperpigmentation during the summer

Abstract Background/Purpose AP 736 is a novel compound with an adamantyl benzylbenzamide moiety that has shown antimelanogenic activity in melanocytes in vitro and in artificial skin equivalent through the inhibition of key melanogenic enzymes and suppression of the cAMP ‐phosphokinase A‐ cAMP response element‐binding protein signaling pathway. To estimate the clinical effectiveness of AP 736 for the treatment of facial hyperpigmentation, we examined the efficacy and safety of a topical formulation containing AP 736 compared with a vehicle formulation in human facial skin. To evaluate the degree of whitening when used in a real‐life situation, subjects with hyperpigmentation conditions were selected and the trial was performed from mid‐May to the end of June, when there are strong UV rays in Korea. Materials and Methods Forty‐eight healthy Korean women aged 20–60 years were enrolled in this study for 6 weeks. Women who were pregnant or undergoing any concurrent therapy were excluded. Subjects were instructed to apply a randomly assigned formulation containing 0.5% AP 736 (test formulation; n = 24) or vehicle (vehicle control; n = 24) in addition to an assigned sunscreen with a twice‐daily application protocol. The degree of facial pigmentation was measured objectively using a Mexameter MX 18 and Chromameter CM 700, in addition to assessment by physicians using clinical photographs. Results The AP 736 formulation was significantly ( P < 0.05) more effective than the vehicle control formation in reducing the appearance of pigmentation at 3‐ and 6‐week follow‐up visits. Conclusion A formulation containing a novel skin whitening ingredient, AP 736, effectively reduced pigmentation and was well tolerated by study subjects in summer season.