Therapeutic Potential of Cysteine and Its Derivatives in Dermatology
), GSH, and related compounds. These derivatives regulate melanogenesis by modulating dopaquinone pathways and tyrosinase activity, maintain collagen balance by preserving redox-sensitive enzymatic processes, and enhance wound healing through antioxidant and anti-inflammatory mechanisms. Importantly, chemical modifications such as acetylation, amidation, and esterification improve pharmacokinetic properties, enabling more effective intracellular delivery. Furthermore, different derivatives exhibit distinct advantages depending on biological context, highlighting the importance of compound selection. Overall, cysteine derivatives emerge as promising therapeutic candidates for dermatological applications, particularly in pigmentation disorders and impaired wound healing. Future studies should focus on in vivo validation and clinical translation.
Authors
- Yong Chool Boo (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9895-2066)
- W Lee
- Joon Yong Choi (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0003-9810-8107)
Institutions
- Kyungpook National University Hospital (KR)
- Kyungpook National University (KR)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Molecules
- Published
- 2026-04-13
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules31081277
- Primary Topic
- melanin and skin pigmentation
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00
Funders
- Korea Health Industry Development Institute