Hexylresorcinol

Hexylresorcinol

Clinical data
AHFS/Drugs.com	International Drug Names
ATC code	R02AA12 (WHO)
Identifiers
IUPAC name 4-hexylbenzene-1,3-diol
CAS Number	136-77-6
PubChem (CID)	3610
ChemSpider	21106121
UNII	R9QTB5E82N
KEGG	D04441
ChEMBL	CHEMBL443605
ECHA InfoCard	100.004.780
Chemical and physical data
Formula	C12H18O2
Molar mass	194.27
3D model (Jmol)	Interactive image
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
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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.