# TRANSDERMAL DELIVERY OF MELANOTROPINS

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA · 1987 · $119,103

## Abstract

Alleviation of hypopigmentary problems (leukoderma) in humans remains,
unfortunately, an unresolved problem.  Our laboratories have designed
superpotent melanotropins that exhibit ultraprolonged biological activity
and that are resistant to inactivation by serum enzymes.  These
melanotropins are 10,000 times more active than Alpha-melanotropin
(Alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone, Alpha-MSH) in stimulating melanin
synthesis within follicular melanocytes of mice.  Most importantly, we have
demonstrated that these melanotropins, when applied topically to skin of
the mouse, are transported trandermally and subsequently activate
melanogenesis within hair follicles.  These results have important
implications for the use of melanotropins in the successful treatment of
hypopigmentary problems in humans.  We plan to do the following:  1)
Develop strategies for the synthesis of melanotropic peptides that posses
structural characteristics that will allow them to more readily pass
through the stratum corneum to the underlying epidermal melanocytes; 2)
Develop strategies for the formulation of these melanotropins at different
concentrations into vehicles for topical application (transdermal delivery)
to the skin or mice; 3) Determine the melanogenic potential of the
melanotropin analogs by monitoring follicular melanogenesis in response to
subcutaneously injected and topically applied melanotropin analogs; 4)
Develop a human (cadaver) skin model for the study of the transdermal
delivery of topically applied melanotropic peptides; 5) Determine whether
those melanotropins that are successfully delivered transdermally in the
mouse are similarly effective in enhancing melanogenesis in both normal and
hypopigemented areas of human skin; 6) Determine the possible systemic side
effects of melanotropins to ensure the safe use of topically applied
melanotropins in humans.  The proposed studies may produce valuable
clinical approaches for the treatment of the hypomelanoses.  An ultimate
outcome of these studies may be to provide a rational method for the
hormonal stimulation of "suntanning" in humans.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 3157445
- **Project number:** 5R01AR036021-03
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA
- **SAM.gov UEI:** ED44Y3W6P7B9
- **Principal Investigator:** MAC E HADLEY
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 1987
- **Award amount:** $119,103
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1985-09-01 → 1988-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/3157445

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 3157445, TRANSDERMAL DELIVERY OF MELANOTROPINS (5R01AR036021-03). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-25 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/3157445. Licensed CC0.

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