Inhibitory effects on mushroom tyrosinase by flavones from the stem barks of Morus lhou (S.) Koidz

Five flavones displaying tyrosinase inhibitory activity were isolated from the stem barks of Morus lhou (S.) Koidz., a cultivated edible plant. The isolated compounds were identified as mormin (1), cyclomorusin (2), morusin (3), kuwanon C (4), and norartocarpetin (5). Mormin (1) was characterized as a new flavone possesing a 3-hydroxymethyl-2-butenyl at C-3. The inhibitory potencies of these flavonoids toward monophenolase activity of mushroom tyrosinase were investigated. The IC₅₀ values of compounds 1–5 for monophenolase activity were determined to be 0.088, 0.092, 0.250, 0.135 mM, and 1.2 μM, respectively. Mormin (1), cyclomorusin (2), kuwanon C (4) and norartocarpetin (5) exhibited competitive inhibition characteristics. Interestingly norartocarpetin (5) showed a time–dependent inhibition against oxidation of l–tyrosine: it also operated under the enzyme isomerization model (k₅ = 0.8424 min^{? 1}, k₆ = 0.0576 min^{? 1}, = 1.354 μM).     

Antiviral flavonoids from the root bark of Morus alba L

A prenylated flavonoid, moralbanone, along with seven known compounds kuwanon S, mulberroside C, cyclomorusin, eudraflavone B hydroperoxide, oxydihydromorusin, leachianone G and alpha-acetyl-amyrin were isolated from the root bark of Morus alba L. Leachianone G showed potent antiviral activity (IC(50) = 1.6 microg/ml), whereas mulberroside C showed weak activity (IC(50) = 75.4 microg/ml) against herpes simplex type 1 virus (HSV-1). Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods.     

A novel synthetic compound, (Z)-5-(3-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzylidene)-2-iminothiazolidin-4-one (MHY773) inhibits mushroom tyrosinase

As part of continued efforts for the development of new tyrosinase inhibitors, (Z)-5-(substituted benzylidene)-2-iminothiazolidin-4-one derivatives (1a – 1l) were rationally synthesized and evaluated for their inhibitory potential in vitro. These compounds were designed and synthesized based on the structural attributes of a β-phenyl-α,β-unsaturated carbonyl scaffold template. Among these compounds, (Z)-5-(3-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzylidene)-2-iminothiazolidin-4-one (1e, MHY773) exhibited the greatest tyrosinase inhibition (IC₅₀ = 2.87 μM and 8.06 μM for monophenolase and diphenolase), and outperformed the positive control, kojic acid (IC₅₀ = 15.59 and 31.61 μM). The kinetic and docking studies demonstrated that MHY773 interacted with active site of tyrosinase. Moreover, a melanin quantification assay demonstrated that MHY773 attenuates α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH) and 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine (IBMX)-induced melanin contents in B16F10 melanoma cells. Taken together, these data suggest that MHY773 suppressed the melanin production via the inhibition of tyrosinase activity. MHY773 is a promising for the development of effective pharmacological and cosmetic agents for skin-whitening.     

长穗桑中的Diels-Alder型加合物

从长穗桑的茎皮中首次分离到9个Diels—Alder型加合物,通过NMR、MS等波谱分析手段分别鉴定为mulberrofuran K（1）,mulberrofuran G（2）,guangsangon L（3）,kuwanon J（4）,kuwanonx（5）,guangsangonG（6）,guangsangon B（7）,guangsangon D（8）,kuwanon P（9）。化合物1—9进行了抗氧化活性筛选。结果表明,在10^-5M浓度下,化合物1,2,5—7,9对Fe^2＋-半胱氨酸诱导的肝微粒体脂质过氧化产生的丙二醛（malondialdehyde,MDA）有抑制作用（抑制率大于50％）。     

Synthesis of new heterocyclic hybrids based on pyrazole and thiazolidinone scaffolds as potent inhibitors of tyrosinase

As a part of ongoing studies in developing new Tyrosinase inhibitors, a class of structurally novel 2-(2,4-dimethoxy phenylamino)-5 methylene-4-thiazolinone derivatives were synthesized by incorporating 2-(2,4-dimethoxy-phenylamino)-thiazol-4-one with various 1-(1-methyl-buta-1,3-dienyl)-3-phenyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carbaldehyde. The results showed that some of the synthesized compounds exhibited significant inhibitory activities. Especially, 5-[3-(2-chloro-phenyl)-1-phenyl-1H-pyrazol-4-ylmethylene]-2-(2,4-dimethoxy-phenylamino)-thiazol-4-one (5h) and 5-[3-(3-chloro-phenyl)-1-phenyl-1H-pyrazol-4-ylmethylene]-2-(2,4-dimethoxy-phenylamino)-thiazol-4-one (5g) possessing 2-chloro-phenyl and 3-chloro-phenyl group exhibited the most potent tyrosinase inhibitory activity with an IC₅₀ value of 34.12 and 52.62 μM, respectively. The inhibition mechanism analysis of 5h and 5g thiazolidinone derivatives demonstrated that the inhibitory effects of the compounds on tyrosinase were reversible and competitive. Preliminary structure–activity relationships (SAR) analysis suggested that further development of such compounds might be of interest, as it manifests simple reversible slow binding inhibition against monophenolase and diphenolase.     

Resveratrol as a kcat type inhibitor for tyrosinase: potentiated melanogenesis inhibitor

Resveratrol exhibited the inhibitory activity against mushroom tyrosinase (EC1.14.18.1) through a k(cat) inhibition. Resveratrol itself did not inhibit tyrosinase but rather was oxidized by tyrosinase. In the enzymatic assays, resveratrol did not inhibit the diphenolase activity of tyrosinase when l-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanin (L-DOPA) was used as a substrate; however, L-tyrosine oxidation by tyrosinase was suppressed in presence of 100 μM resveratrol. Oxidation of resveratrol and inhibition of L-tyrosine oxidation suggested the inhibitory effects of metabolites of resveratrol on tyrosinase. After the 30 min of preincubation of tyrosinase and resveratrol, both monophenolase and diphenolase activities of tyrosinase were significantly suppressed. This preincubational effect was reduced with the addition of L-cysteine, which indicated k(cat) inhibition or suicide inhibition of resveratrol. Furthermore, investigation was extended to the cellular experiments by using B16-F10 murine melanoma cells. Cellular melanin production was significantly suppressed by resveratrol without any cytotoxicity up to 200 μM. trans-Pinosylvin, cis-pinosylvin, dihydropinosylvin were also tested for a comparison. These results suggest that possible usage of resveratrol as a tyrosinase inhibitor and a melanogenesis inhibitor.     

桑白皮中抗人爱滋病病毒（HIV）成分研究

从中药桑白皮（ＭｏｒｕｓａｌｂａＬ．）的根皮中分离到６个成分,它们是：ｍｏｒｕｓｉｎ（１）,ｍｕｌｂｅｒｒｏｆｕｒａｎＤ（２）,ｋｕｗａｎｏｎＨ（３）,ｍｕｌｂｅｒｒｏｆｏｒａｎＫ（４）,ｋｕｗａｎｏｎＧ（５）,ｍｕｌｂｅｒｒｏｆｕｒａｎＧ（６）;并制备了它们的乙醚化合物和葡萄糖成;还测定了这些化合物的体外抗人爱滋病病毒（ＨＩＶ）活性和对人淋巴细胞的细胞毒活性,发现其中黄酮ｍｏｒｕｓｉｎ,ｋｕｗａｎｏｎＨ和ｍｏｒｕｓｉｎ４＇－ｇｌｕｃｏｓｉｄｅ具有一定的抗ＨＩＶ活性。     

Inhibitory effects of cupferron on the monophenolase and diphenolase activity of mushroom tyrosinase

Mushroom tyrosinase (EC 1.14.18.1) is a copper containing oxidase that catalyzes both the hydroxylation of tyrosine into o-diphenols and the oxidation of o-diphenols into o-quinones. In the present study, the kinetic assay was performed in air-saturated solutions and the kinetic behavior of this enzyme in the oxidation of L-tyrosine and L-DOPA has been studied. The effects of cupferron on the monophenolase and diphenolase activity of mushroom tyrosinase have been studied. The results show that cupferron can inhibit both monophenolase and diphenolase activity of mushroom tyrosinase. The lag phase of tyrosine oxidation catalyzed by the enzyme was obviously lengthened and the steady-state activity of the enzyme decreased sharply. Cupferron can lead to reversible inhibition of the enzyme, possibly by chelating copper at the active site of the enzyme. The IC(50) value was estimated as 0.52 microM for monophenolase and 0.84 microM for diphenolase. A kinetic analysis shows that the cupferron is a competitive inhibitor for both monophenolase and diphenolase. The apparent inhibition constant for cupferron binding with free enzyme has been determined to be 0.20 microM for monophenolase and 0.48 microM for diphenolase.     

Inhibitory effects of 4-vinylbenzaldehyde and 4-vinylbenzoic acid on the activity of mushroom tyrosinase

Tyrosinase (EC 1.14.18.1) catalyzes both the hydroxylation of tyrosine into o-diphenols and the oxidation of o-diphenols into o-quinones which form brown or black pigments. Here, the inhibitory effects of 4-vinylbenzaldehyde and 4-vinylbenzoic acid on the activity of mushroom tyrosinase have been investigated. The results showed that both 4-vinylbenzaldehyde and 4-vinylbenzoic acid could inhibit both monophenolase activity and diphenolase activity of the enzyme. For the monophenolase activity, 4-vinylbenzoic acid could lengthen the lag time, but 4-vinylbenzaldehyde could not. Both 4-vinylbenzaldehyde and 4-vinylbenzoic acid decreased the steady-state activity, and the IC50 values were estimated as 93 microM and 3.0 mM for monophenolase activity, respectively. For the diphenolase activity, the inhibitory capacity of 4-vinylbenzaldehyde was stronger than that of 4-vinylbenzoic acid, and the IC50 values were estimated as 23 microM and 0.33 mM, respectively. Kinetic analyses showed that inhibition by both compounds was reversible and their mechanisms were mixed-II type; their inhibition constants were also determined and compared.     

Structure-activity relationships of tyrosinase inhibitory combinatorial library of 2,5-disubstituted-1,3,4-oxadiazole analogues

Here the tyrosinase inhibition studies of library of 2,5-disubstituted-1,3,4-oxadiazoles have been reported and their structure-activity relationship (SAR) also have been discussed. The library of the oxadiazoles was synthesized under the microwave irradiation and was structures of these were characterized by different spectral techniques. From this study it could be concluded that for a better inhibition of tyrosinase, electronegative substitution is essential as most probably the active site of the enzyme contain some hydrophobic site and position is also very important for the inhibition purposes due to the conformational space. The electronegativity of the compounds is somewhat proportional to the inhibitory activity. The compound 3e (3'-[5-(4'-bromophenyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazol-2-yl]pyridine) exhibited most potent (IC50 = 2.18 microM) inhibition against the enzyme tyrosinase which is more potent than the standard potent inhibitor L-mimosine (IC50 = 3.68 microM). This molecule can be the best candidate as a lead compound for further development of drug for the treatments of several skin disorders.     

Hydroxylating activity of tyrosinase and its dependence on hydrogen peroxide

The aim of this work was to study the hydroxylation of N, N-dimethyltyramine (DMTA) by tyrosinase in the presence of hydrogen peroxide, a reaction that does not take place without the addition of the hydrogen peroxide. Some properties of this hydroxylating activity are analyzed. The kinetic parameters of mushroom tyrosinase toward hydrogen peroxide (K(m) = 0.5 mM, V(m) = 11 microM/min, V(m)/K(m) = 2.2 x 10(-2) min(-1)) and toward DMTA (K(m) = 0.3 mM, V(m) = 4.8 microM/min, V(m)/K(m) = 16 x 10(-2) min(-1)) were evaluated. There was a lag period, which was similar to the characteristic lag of monophenolase activity at the expense of molecular oxygen. The length of this lag phase decreased with increasing hydrogen peroxide concentration, and disappeared at approximately 0.5 mM H(2)O(2). However, the lag was longer with higher DMTA concentrations. The pH optimum range for this hydroxylating activity was 6.0 to 7.0. The lag also varied with pH, increasing at pH values higher than 6.7. The presence of hydrogen peroxide is necessary for the oxidation of DMTA, as is the presence of active enzyme since the reaction was completely inhibited when selective tyrosinase inhibitors were added.     

Inhibitory effects of phloridzin dihydrate on the activity of mushroom (Agaricus bisporus) tyrosinase

The inhibitory effects of phloridzin dihydrate on the activity of mushroom tyrosinase have been studied. The results show that phloridzin can inhibit the diphenolase activity of the enzyme and the inhibition displays to be reversible. The IC(50) value was estimated as 110microM. The kinetic analysis showed that the inhibition of phloridzin on the diphenolase activity of the enzyme is of competitive type, and the inhibition constant (K(I)) was determined to be 64.3microM. The inhibitory effects of the different concentrations of phloridzin on the monophenolase activity were also studied. There were almost no changes in the lag period and the steady-state rate, while the plateaus in the inhibitory curve lowered with increasing the concentration of phloridzin when using tyrosine as a substrate.     

Protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B inhibitors from Morus root bark

An organic layer prepared from the Chinese crude drug 'Sang-Bai-Pi' (Morus root bark) was studied in order to identify the inhibitory compounds for protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B). Bioassay-guided fractionation resulted in the isolation of sanggenon C (1), sanggenon G (2), mulberrofuran C (3) and kuwanon L (4) as PTP1B inhibitors, along with moracin O (5) and moracin P (6). Compounds 1-4 inhibited PTP1B with IC(50) values ranging from 1.6+/-0.3 microM to 16.9+/-1.1 microM.     

Synthesis of N-substituted piperidine-4-(benzylidene-4-carboxylic acids) and evaluation as inhibitors of steroid-5alpha-reductase type 1 and 2

The synthesis of N-substituted piperidine-4-(benzylidene-4-carboxylic acids) is described [benzoyl (1), benzyl (2), adamantanoyl (3), cyclohexanoyl (4), cyclohexylacetyl (5), diphenylacetyl (6), dicyclohexylacetyl (7), 2-propylpentanoyl (8), diphenylcarbamoyl (9), trimethylacetyl (10), 3,3-dimethylacryloyl (11), dicyclohexylacetyl derivative of the benzyl compound (12)]. Compounds were tested for inhibitory activity toward 5alpha-reductase isozymes 1 and 2 in human and rat. The test compounds inhibited 5alpha-reductase, showing a broad range of inhibitory potencies. In rat, compounds 6 (IC50 = 3.44 and 0.37 microM for type 1 and 2, respectively) and 9 (IC50=0.54 and 0.69 microM for type 1 and 2, respectively) displayed the best inhibition toward both isozymes. Compound 7 showed a strong inhibition toward type 2 human and rat enzyme (IC50 = 60 and 80 nM) but only a moderate activity versus type 1 enzyme (IC50 approximately 10 microM for rat and human enzyme). In vivo, selected compounds reduced prostate weights in castrated testosterone treated rats.     

Inhibitory effects of naphthols on the activity of mushroom tyrosinase

Tyrosinase (EC 1.14.18.1), a copper-containing multifunctional oxidase, was known to be a key enzyme for biosynthesis in fungi, plants and animals. In this work, the inhibition properties α-naphthol and β-naphthol toward the activity of tyrosinase have been evaluated, and the effects of α-naphthol and β-naphthol on monophenolase and diphenolase activity of tyrosinase have been investigated. The results showed that both α-naphthol and β-naphthol could potently inhibit both monophenolase activity and diphenolase activity of mushroom tyrosinase, and that β-naphthol exhibited stronger inhibitory effect against tyrosinase than α-naphthol. For monophenolase activity, β-naphthol could not only lengthen the lag time but also decrease the steady-state activity, while α-naphthol just only decreased the steady-state activity. For diphenolase activity, both α-naphthol and β-naphthol displayed revisible inhibition. Kinetic analyses showed that both α-naphthol and β-naphthol were competetive inhibitors.     

Tyrosinase inhibitory cycloartane type triterpenoids from the methanol extract of the whole plant of Amberboa ramosa Jafri and their structure-activity relationship

New tyrosinase inhibitory cycloartane triterpenoids have been discovered from the methanol extract of the whole plant of Amberboa ramosa (Roxb.) Jafri, which is a member from the Compositae family. Utilizing the conventional spectroscopic techniques, including 1D and 2D NMR analysis, and also by comparing the experimental with literature data, the isolated compounds proved to be cycloartane type triterpenoids. These cycloartanes are: (22R)-cycloart-20, 25-dien-2alpha3beta22alpha triol (1), (22R)-cycloart-23-ene-3beta, 22alpha, 25-triol (2), cycloartenol (3), cycloart-23-ene-3beta, 25-diol (4), cycloart-20-ene-3beta, 25-diol (5), cycloart-25-ene-3beta, (22R) 22-diol (6), 3beta, 21, 22, 23-tetrahydroxy-cycloart-24 (31), 25 (26)-diene (7), and (23R)-5alpha-cycloart-24-ene-3beta, 21, 23-triol (8). Out of these eight compounds, compound 3 did not show any activity against the enzyme tyrosinase. Among them compound 7 was found to be the most potent (1.32 microM) when compared with the standard tyrosinase inhibitors kojic acid (16.67 microM) and L-mimosine (3.68 microM). Finally in this paper, we have discussed the structure-activity relationships of these molecules.     

Synthetic tyrosyl gallate derivatives as potent melanin formation inhibitors

Three tyrosyl gallate derivatives (1-3) with variable hydroxyl substituent at the aromatic ring of tyrosol were synthesized and evaluated as potent inhibitors on tyrosinase activity and melanin formation in melan-a cells. Among three tyrosyl gallate derivatives, 4-hydroxyphenethyl 3,4,5-trihydroxybenote (1) (IC(50)=4.93 microM), 3-hydroxyphenethyl 3,4,5-trihydroxybenote (2) (IC(50)=15.21 microM), and 2-hydroxyphenethyl 3,4,5-trihydroxybenote (3) (IC(50)=14.50 microM) exhibited significant inhibitory effect on tyrosinase activity. Compound 1 was the most active compound, though it did not show the inhibitory effect on melanin formation in melan-a cells. However, compounds 2 (IC(50)=8.94 microM) and 3 (IC(50)=13.67 microM) significantly suppressed the cellular melanin formation without cytotoxicity. This study shows that the position of hydroxyl substituent at the aromatic ring of tyrosol plays an important role in the intracellular regulation of melanin formation in cell-based assay system.     

An Efficient Preparation of Mulberroside A from the Branch Bark of Mulberry and Its Effect on the Inhibition of Tyrosinase Activity

A bioactive ingredient in an ethanol extract from the branch bark of cultivated mulberry Husang-32 (Morus multicaulis Perr.) was isolated using a macroporous resin column. The primary component, which was purified by semi-preparative high-performance liquid chromatography diode array detection (HPLC-DAD), was identified as mulberroside A (MA) by liquid chromatograph-mass spectrometer (LC-MS), ¹H and ¹³C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra. In total, 4.12 g MA was efficiently extracted from one kilogram of mulberry bark. The enzymatic analysis showed that MA inhibited the generation of dopachrome by affecting the activities of monophenolase and diphenolase of tyrosinase in vitro. This analysis indicated that MA and oxyresveratrol (OR), which is the the aglycone of mulberroside A, exhibited strong inhibition of the monophenolase activity with IC₅₀ values of 1.29 µmol/L and 0.12 µmol/L, respectively. However, the former showed weaker inhibitory activity than the latter for diphenolase. For the monophenolase activity, the inhibitory activity of MA and OR was reversible and showed mixed type 1 inhibition. Additionally, the inhibition constant KI (the inhibition constant of the effectors on tyrosinase) values were 0.385 µmol/L and 0.926 µmol/L, respectively, and the KIS (the inhibition constants of the enzyme-substrate complex) values were 0.177 µmol/L and 0.662 µmol/L, respectively. However, MA showed competitive inhibition of diphenolase activity, and K_I was 4.36 µmol/L. In contrast, OR showed noncompetitive inhibition and K_I = K_IS = 2.95 µmol/L. Taken together, these results provide important information concerning the inhibitory mechanism of MA on melanin synthesis, which is widely used in whitening cosmetics.     

Synthesis and in-vitro evaluation of novel low molecular weight thiocarbamates as inhibitors of human leukocyte elastase

A series of novel low molecular weight thiocarbamate esters (1e-6e) were synthesized and evaluated as inhibitors of human leukocyte elastase (HLE). The thiocarbamate esters studied consist of a substituted primary or secondary aliphatic or aromatic amine and a 1-phenyl-1H-tetrazole-5-thiol (Table I). The HLE catalyzed hydrolysis of N-methoxysuccinyl- L-Ala-L-Ala-L-Pro-L-Val-p-nitroanilide substrate was utilized as the measure of inhibition. N-n-butyl, 1-phenyl-1H-tetrazole-5-thiocarbamate (1e) exhibited the highest inhibitory activity (k(obs) /[I] = 2.1 x 10(5) M(-1). min(-1) ) and N-allyl, 1-phenyl-1H-tetrazole-5-thiocarbamate (2e) (K(obs) /[I] = 6.1 x 10(4) M(-1). min(-1) ) exhibited the second highest inhibitory activity of all the thiocarbamates. The aromatic N-phenyl, 1-phenyl-1H-tetrazole-5-thiocarbamate (4e) showed the lowest inhibitory activity (K(obs) /[I] = 1.9 x 10(2) M(-1). min(-1) ) among the N-monosubstituted derivatives, similar to that of N-ethyl-N-n-butyl, 1-phenyl-1H-tetrazole-5-thiocarbamate (5e) (K(obs) /[I] = 1.8 x 10(2) M(-1).min(-1) ). The N-isopropyl, 1-phenyl-1H-tetrazole-5-thiocarbamate (3e) (K(obs) /[I] = 3.3 x 10(3) M(-1).min(-1) ) was about 10 fold more active than (4e) and N, N-diisopropyl, 1-phenyl-1H-tetrazole- 5-thiocarbamate (6e) showed no inhibitory activity against HLE. In the present work less than 3% of HLE specific activity was regained after 24 hours incubation with each of the tested N-monosubstituted thiocarbamates (1e-4e). The time-dependent inhibition of HLE by the thiocarbamate compounds (1e-5e) seems to involve the interaction and possible chemical modification of one enzyme residue. Straight chain nonpolar aliphatic substituents on the nitrogen of the thiocarbamate functionality may be essential for high inhibitory activity. As the degree of substitution (branching) on the nitrogen of the thiocarbamate functionality increases the inhibitory activity of the compounds decreases. The time-dependent inhibition of HLE and the slow deacylation rates by the N-monosubstituted thiocarbamates are consistent with irreversible inhibition.     

Synthesis and evaluation of 2',4',6'-trihydroxychalcones as a new class of tyrosinase inhibitors

In this study, we synthesized a series of hydroxychalcones and examined their tyrosinase inhibitory activity. The results showed that 2',4',6'-trihydroxychalcone (1), 2,2',3,4',6'-pentahydroxychalcone (4), 2',3,4,4',5,6'-hexahydroxychalcone (5), 2',4',6'-trihydroxy- 3,4-dimethoxychalcone (9) and 2,2',4,4',6'-pentahydroxychalcone (15) exhibited high inhibitory effects on tyrosinase with respect to l-tyrosine as a substrate. By the structure-activity relationship study, it was suggested that the 2',4',6'-trihydroxyl substructure in the chalcone skeleton were efficacious for the inhibition of tyrosinase activity. And also, the catechol structure on B-ring of chalcones was not advantageous for the inhibitory potency. Furthermore, 15 (IC(50)=1microM) was found to show the highest activity out of a set of 15 hydroxychalcones, even better than both 2,2',4,4'-tetrahydroxychalcone (13, IC(50)=5microM) and kojic acid (16, IC(50)=12microM), which were known as potent tyrosinase inhibitors. Kinetic study revealed that 15 acts as a competitive inhibitor of tyrosinase with K(i) value of 3.1microM.