Triclocarban

Chembox new
ImageFile=Triclocarban.pngImageSize=200px
IUPACName=3-(4-chlorophenyl)-1-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)urea
OtherNames=
Section1= Chembox Identifiers
CASNo= 101-20-2
PubChem=7547
SMILES=C1=CC(=CC=C1NC(=O)NC2=CC(=C(C=C2)Cl)Cl)Cl
Section2= Chembox Properties
Formula=C₁₃H₉Cl₃N₂O
MolarMass= 315.58236
Appearance=
Density= 1.53
MeltingPt= 254-256°C
BoilingPt=
Solubility=
Section3= Chembox Hazards
MainHazards=
FlashPt> 150°C
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Triclocarban (TCC), or 3,4,4'-trichlorocarbanilide, is a substance with anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties that is used in disinfectants, soaps and other household products.

The mechanism of action is unknown, but may involve inhibition of the enzyme enoyl-acyl carrier protein reductase (ENR).Fact|date=November 2007 This enzyme is absent in humans but is essential in building cell membranes of many bacteria and fungi.

Researchers at UC Davis have reported that Triclocarban can act as an endocrine disruptor. While TCC shows little or no endocrine activity by itself, it was found to enhance the biological activity of the endogenous hormone testosterone by in vitro cell-based bioassay as well as in vivo in a male rat model. Testosterone normally mediates transcriptional activity in sexual reproductive organs, but TCC appears to significantly amplify this activity. Ten day oral exposure to TCC caused a substantial increase in the weight of accesory sexual such as the prostate.Cite Journal | last1 = Chen | first1 = Jiangang | last2 = Ahn | first2 = Ki Chang | last3 = Gee | first3 = Nancy A. | last4 = Gee | first4 = Nancy A. | last5 = Ahmed | first5 = Mohamed I. | last6 = Duleba | first6 = Antoni J. | last7 = Zhao | first7 = Ling | last8 = Gee | first8 = Shirley J. | last9 = Hammock | first9 = Bruce D. | last10 = Lasley | first10 = Bill L. | title = Triclocarban Enhances Testosterone Action: A New Type of Endocrine Disruptor? | journal = Endocrinology | volume = 149 | issue = 3 | pages = 1173-1179 | date = 2007-11-29 | year = 2007 | doi = 10.1210/en.2007-1057 ] This raises some concerns due to the 45 years it has been used in personal care products and the current surge in popularity of its use in anti-bacterial products. The authors commented in a UC Davis press release: cite press release
title = Antibacterial Chemical Disrupts Hormone Activities, Study Finds
publisher = Science Daily
date = 2007-12-8
url = http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/12/071207150713.htm
accessdate = 2008-10-7
archiveurl =
archivedate =
quote = ]

"The researchers found two key effects: In human cells in the laboratory, triclocarban increased gene expression that is normally regulated by testosterone. And when male rats were fed triclocarban, testosterone-dependent organs such as the prostate gland grew abnormally large... Also, the authors said their discovery that triclocarban increased hormone effects was new. All previous studies of endocrine disruptors had found that they generally act by blocking or decreasing hormone effects."

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