ArticleDermatology and therapy2025
Efficacy and Tolerability of a New Facial 2-Mercaptonicotinoyl Glycine-Containing Depigmenting Serum Versus Hydroquinone 4% over 3-Month Treatment of Facial Melasma.
Article in Dermatology and therapy, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. It is linked to trial NCT06787846 (EVALUATION of the EFFICACY and TOLERABILITY of TESTED FORMULA VS. HYDROQUINONE 4% in the TREATMENT of FACIAL MELASMA OVER 3 MONTHS), which is not on this map. Cited by 5 papers.
What it found
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The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
EVALUATION of the EFFICACY and TOLERABILITY of TESTED FORMULA VS. HYDROQUINONE 4% in the TREATMENT of FACIAL MELASMA OVER 3 MONTHS
Who cites it
5 citing papers in PubMed.
- Practical Therapeutic Strategies for Acne-Induced Hyperpigmentation Across all Skin Types.American journal of clinical dermatology · 2026Review
- What's New in Photoprotection?American journal of clinical dermatology · 2026Review
- Decoding Hyperpigmentation from Biological Mechanisms to Actives with Clinically Proven Topical Efficacy: A Narrative Review.Dermatology and therapy · 2026Review
- Evaluation of the Efficacy of a 2-MNG-Containing Serum on Improving Skin Tone and Hyperpigmentation.Dermatology and therapy · 2026Article
- Efficacy of a 2-MNG-Containing Serum and Sunscreen Regimen on Improving Facial Dyschromia in Women with Skin of Color.The Journal of clinical and aesthetic dermatology · 2025Article
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Authors and funding
10 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
introductionTopical treatment with hydroquinone 4% and hydroquinone-based preparations is the gold standard of care for melasma; however, it is limited by complications. 2-Mercaptonicotinoyl glycine (Melasyl™) is a new active ingredient targeting melanin synthesis without impairing the tyrosinase enzyme, with proven efficacy and safety. This study assessed the non-inferiority of a new facial depigmenting serum Mela B3
methodsThis comparative, non-inferiority, randomized, investigator-blind, parallel-group investigation included adult women with mild-to-severe epidermal or mixed facial melasma. Patients received 3-month treatment with MB3 (twice daily) or hydroquinone 4% (once daily) and applied a broad spectrum SPF 50+/UVA tinted sunscreen (twice daily). Evaluations were conducted at day (D) 0, D28, D56, and D84 of treatment by a dermatologist and the patients. Non-inferiority analysis was performed at D84 on the Modified Melasma Area and Severity Index (mMASI) (non-inferiority margin 1.3). Efficacy assessments included mMASI, Melasma Quality of Life questionnaire (MELASQoL), and Patient Unique Stigmatization Holistic tool in Dermatology (PUSH-D) scores at each visit. Safety and tolerance were evaluated.
resultsThe study included 109 women (phototypes I-IV; > 80% had phototypes III-IV). At D84, the estimated difference in mMASI score between MB3 and hydroquinone 4% was 0.46 (95% confidence interval - 0.25-1.17). Both groups demonstrated statistically significant improvements on mMASI from D28 versus baseline. The MELASQoL and PUSH-D scores decreased significantly from D28 in both groups (no difference between the groups). Nevertheless, a significant difference in the PUSH-D score was observed at D28 and D56 in favor of MB3. MB3 showed better tolerability versus hydroquinone 4% at D28 with fewer local skin reactions (6.0% versus 21.4%, respectively; p = 0.0286).
conclusionMB3 shows non-inferior efficacy and better tolerability compared with hydroquinone 4%. MB3 is an effective and well-tolerated alternative option for the topical treatment of melasma. CLINICAL
trial registrationNCT06787846.
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