Evaluation of the Toxicity of the Monoethyl Ether of Hydroquinone for Mammalian Melanocytes and Melanoma Cells

The monoethyl ether of hydroquinone (MEH) is known to be a very potent depigmenting agent for skin and hair of black guinea pigs. Its action is due to selective destruction of melanocytes. In order to better understand its pharmacology, MEH was applied or injected into the skin of red and albino guinea pigs, grey DBA-1 mice, black C-57 mice and Syrian golden hamsters. Experimental melanomas S 91, B 16, Asc.M.Mel.1 and V 15 were also treated with this agent.MEH depigmented the brown epidermis of the red guinea pigs; the red hair, however, regrew without any color change. The melanocytes of the albino guinea pigs were not damaged by MEH. The hair of the 2 types of mice treated always became white and the fur of Syrian hamsters lost its black component. The survival time of animals with transplanted melanomas was not increased and gross and microscopic appearance of their melanomas was not altered by intratumoral injections of MEH