Tapinarof

Tapinarof is a small molecular stilbenoid compound known by the chemical name 5-(2-styrenyl) -2-isopropyl-1, 3-resorcinol. It was originally isolated from the metabolite of photorhabdusiuminescence of a soil nematode (Heterorhabditissp.) and has now been synthesized. It can significantly inhibit the expression of several inflammatory cytokines, such as gamma interferon (IFN-γ), interleukin-2 (IL-2), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), inhibit the chemotaxis of leukotriene B4(LTB4) to peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC), inhibit the activation and infiltration of T cells, and also have a certain anti-inflammatory effect. T cell activation plays an important role in the pathogenesis of many autoimmune diseases, especially skin diseases. Clinically, it was first used in the treatment of psoriasis and atopic dermatitis. Clinical trials conducted abroad show that benzomod cream has good efficacy and safety in treating atopic dermatitis and psoriasis. In China, benzomod cream has been used as a class 1.1 new drug in phase I ~ II clinical trials, and the results show that it has good efficacy and safety in the treatment of plaque psoriasis. At the same time, in the clinical trial, the investigators observed that some patients had obvious pigmentation at the administration site after topical application of benzomod cream. This phenomenon suggests that it may become a potential drug for the treatment of vitiligo. Although the etiology and pathogenesis of vitiligo are still unknown, the immune response involving cytotoxic T lymphocytes of CD8+ plays an important role in the destruction of melanocytes. Various inflammatory factors such as TNF-α, IL-2, etc. are also involved, which is similar to psoriasis and atopic dermatitis. Therefore, the use of benzotimod treatment of vitiligo has a certain theoretical basis.