Hexylresorcinol

Hexylresorcinol

Systematic (IUPAC) name
4-hexylbenzene-1,3-diol
Clinical data
AHFS/Drugs.com	International Drug Names
Identifiers
CAS Number	136-77-6
ATC code	R02AA12 (WHO)
PubChem	CID 3610
ChemSpider	21106121
UNII	R9QTB5E82N
KEGG	D04441
ChEMBL	CHEMBL443605
Chemical data
Formula	C12H18O2
Molar mass	194.27
SMILES Oc1cc(O)ccc1CCCCCC
InChI InChI=1S/C12H18O2/c1-2-3-4-5-6-10-7-8-11(13)9-12(10)14/h7-9,13-14H,2-6H2,1H3 Key:WFJIVOKAWHGMBH-UHFFFAOYSA-N
(verify)

Hexylresorcinol is an organic compound with local anaesthetic, antiseptic and anthelmintic properties.^[1]

It is available for use topically on small skin infections, or as an ingredient in throat lozenges. Johnson & Johnson markets hexylresorcinol in its Neutrogena and RoC skincare products as an anti-aging cream.

A study published in Chemical Research in Toxicology ^[2] shows that 4-hexylresorcinol used as a food additive (E-586) exhibits some estrogenic activity, i.e. resembles action of the female sex hormone estrogen.

In one study, 4-hexylresorcinol increased the shelf life of shrimp by reducing melanosis (black spots).^[3]

In mice with cancer, 4-hexylresorcinol inhibited NF-κB and extended their survival rate.^[4]

References

1. O. Gisvold (1966). C. O. Wilson, O. Gisvold and R. F. Doerge, eds. Textbook of Organic Medicinal and Pharmaceutical Chemistry (5th ed.). Philadelphia: Lippincott. pp. 237–262.
2. Amadasi, A; Mozzarelli, A; Meda, C; Maggi, A; Cozzini, P (2009). "Identification of xenoestrogens in food additives by an integrated in silico and in vitro approach". Chem. Res. Toxicol. 22 (1): 52–63. doi:10.1021/tx800048m. PMC 2758355. PMID 19063592.
3. Montero, P. (2006). "Effectiveness of Onboard Application of 4-Hexylresorcinol in Inhibiting Melanosis in Shrimp (Parapenaeus longirostris)". Journal of Food Science 69: C643–C647. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2621.2004.tb09913.x.
4. Kim, Seong-Gon (2011). "4-hexylresorcinol inhibits NF-κB phosphorylation and has a synergistic effect with cisplatin in KB cells". Oncology Reports.