Talk:4-Aminobenzoic acid

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The article mentions that this acid is used in sunscreen, but doesn't indicate why. Some readers, such as myself, might be interested in this. func (talk) 01:38, 13 Nov 2004 (UTC)

This article says with no citation that PABA increases the risk of skin cancer. If no citation is giving within the next few days/weeks, I think the statement should be removed. Ralphael 16:50, 28 March 2006 (UTC)
 * I added a link and clarified the statement. If not sufficient please add back the tag.--Isotope23 13:58, 11 April 2006 (UTC)

The article says "In the past, PABA has been widely .... However, it has been determined that ... increasing the risk of skin cancer ... Currently, safer and more effective derivatives of PABA ... are more commonly used." This could be taken to imply the cancer risk is why its use discontinued, which is inconsistent with the external website that says it was stopped due to allergies and staining. PhiTower 20:28, 26 July 2006 (UTC)

This acid is commonly marketed with claims it can restore the natural colour of hair in cases where greying is caused by vitamin deficency or stress. I would be interested in some mention on the veracity of such statements, and reference to clinical trials.

The article cited suggests PABA toxic effects, but in no way shows that PABA causes skin cancer. I am rewording to be more accurate to the article referenced. Quote: "However it must be strongly emphasized that these results may not be taken as evidence that PABA will be photocarcinogenic in human skin in vivo." Link to PDF:  http://www.nature.com/jid/journal/v79/n6/pdf/5615301a.pdf EtherDoc (talk) 16:43, 27 September 2009 (UTC)

PABA is not a vitamin in humans
Although marketed as a supplement there is no convincing (or even close) evidence that we need to ingest this. Will add reference.EtherDoc (talk) 16:43, 27 September 2009 (UTC)

Can we add the "See also" section again?
Aminomethylbenzoic acid 3-Aminobenzoic acid EtherDoc (talk) 19:34, 27 September 2009 (UTC)

Sulfonamide drug activity unclear
The following statement is unclear:
 * Sulfonamide drugs are structurally similar to PABA, and their antibacterial activity is due to their ability to interfere with the conversion of PABA to folate by the enzyme dihydropteroate synthetase. Thus, bacterial growth is limited through folate deficiency without effect on human cells.

Yes, sulfa drugs inhibit bacteria growth by causing the bacteria to be folate deficient. But how can that not also cause human cells to be folate deficient? And if human cells are not folate deficient because humans eat green leafy vegetables that supply folate to the humans, would that not also supply folate to the bacteria, thereby neutralizing any deficiency caused by the sulfa drugs? This needs an explanation with reliable reference. Greensburger (talk) 02:01, 17 March 2012 (UTC)