|
|
|
Message boards Post comment
|
Melanotan
Melanotan, [Nle4-D-Phe7]-alpha-MSH, was developed at the University of Arizona. They were trying to find a more potent and stable alternative to the hormone,alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone(alpha-MSH), which causes melanogenesis, which means, it causes melanocytes to produce the pigment melanin. alpha-MSH has a too short half life in the body to be useful as a drug. Dr. Victor Hruby found melanotan to be a good candidate, after screening hundreds of synthesized molecules. Studies have shown no obvious toxic effect of melanotan. Skincancer is today a major problem, melanotan is expected to be used as an antiskincancer drug, by causing melanogenesis without harmful UV exposure and thereby reducing the harmful effect of being in sunlight. Melanotan has also been called "barbie drug", because of its sunless tanning effect.
Melanotan is currently being tested by the Australian company EpiTan.
External links
|
|
