Tyrosinase inhibitory activity of citrus essential oils

Thirteen kinds of citrus essential oils and their volatile flavor constituents were investigated for tyrosinase inhibitory activity. Eureka lemon, Lisbon lemon, Keraji, and Kiyookadaidai significantly inhibited the oxidation of L-dihydroxy phenylalanine (L-DOPA) by mushroom tyrosinase. Citral and myrcene among volatile flavor constituents of citrus essential oils exhibited tyrosinase inhibitory activities with Ki values of 0.318 and 2.38 mM, respectively. The inhibition kinetics analyzed by a Lineweaver-Burk plot indicated that citral is a noncompetitive inhibitor and myrcene is a competitive inhibitor. These results indicated that citral and myrcene are responsible for the tyrosinase inhibitory activity of citrus essential oils.     

Synthesis and antityrosinase mechanism of benzaldehyde thiosemicarbazones: novel tyrosinase inhibitors

p-Hydroxybenzaldehyde thiosemicarbazone (HBT) and p-methoxybenzaldehyde thiosemicarbazone (MBT) were synthesized and established by (1)H NMR and mass spectra. Both compounds were evaluated for their inhibition activities on mushroom tyrosinase and free-cell tyrosinase and melanoma production from B(16) mouse melanoma cells. Results showed that both compounds exhibited significant inhibitory effects on the enzyme activities. HBT and MBT decreased the steady state of the monophenolase activity sharply, and the IC(50) values were estimated as 0.76 and 7.0 μM, respectively. MBT lengthened the lag time, but HBT could not. HBT and MBT inhibited diphenolase activity dose-dependently, and their IC(50) values were estimated as 3.80 and 2.62 μM, respectively. Kinetic analyses showed that inhibition type by both compounds was reversible and their mechanisms were mixed-type. Their inhibition constants were also determined and compared. The research may supply the basis for the development of new food preservatives and cosmetic additives.     

Isolation and identification of flavonoids in licorice and a study of their inhibitory effects on tyrosinase

Five different flavonoids were isolated from licorice after multistep chromatographic fractionation. The aim was to identify and characterize active components in licorice responsible for antibrowning activities and to seek new tyrosinase inhibitors for applications as antibrowning and depigmenting agents in the food and cosmetic industries. The isolated flavonoids were identified as liquiritin, licuraside, isoliquiritin, liquiritigenin (from Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch.), and licochalcone A (from Glycyrrhiza inflate Bat.) by UV, MS, (1)H NMR, and (13)C NMR analyses. The inhibitory potencies and capacities of these flavonoids toward monophenolase activity of mushroom tyrosinase were investigated. The IC(50) values of licuraside, isoliquiritin, and licochalcone A for monophenolase activity were 0.072, 0.038, and 0.0258 mM, respectively. A study of the mechanisms of monophenolase inhibition by these flavonoids indicated that they are all competitive inhibitors. Different from the above flavonoids, no inhibitory activity was observed for liquiritin, whereas liquiritigenin activated the monophenolase activity as a cofactor. The inhibitory effect of licuraside, isoliquiritin, and licochalcone A on diphenolase activity with l-DOPA as the substrate was much lower than those with l-tyrosine. Results suggest that licuraside, isoliquiritin, and licochalcone A have the high potential to be further developed into effective antibrowning and depigmenting agents.     

Competitive inhibition of mushroom tyrosinase by 4-substituted benzaldehydes

A kinetic study of the inhibition of mushroom tyrosinase by 4-substituted benzaldehydes showed that these compounds behave as classical competitive inhibitors, inhibiting the oxidation of L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (L-DOPA) by mushroom tyrosinase (o-diphenolase activity). The kinetic parameter (K(I)) characterizing this inhibition was evaluated for all of the seven compounds assayed. Cuminaldehyde showed the most potent inhibitory activity (K(I) = 9 microM). It also inhibited the oxidation of L-tyrosine by mushroom tyrosinase (o-monophenolase activity) in a competitive manner. The corresponding kinetic parameter for this inhibition was evaluated (K(I) = 0.12 mM).     

Identification and kinetic study of tyrosinase inhibitors found in sake lees

The present study found that the n-hexane extract of freeze-dried sake lees inhibits tyrosinase activity and showed that the constituents isolated from the n-hexane extract are the mixture of triacylglycerols. The inhibitory effects of triolein and trilinolein found as the triacylglycerols were examined using tyrosinases from mushroom and Streptomyces castaneoglobisporus. The IC50 values of the triacylglycerol mixture for the oxidase activity on mushroom and Streptomyces tyrosinases were 20 and 0.14 microg/mL, respectively. The IC50 values of trilinolein for the oxidase activity on mushroom and Streptomyces tyrosinases were 8.4 and 0.1 microM, respectively. However, the inhibitory effect of triolein (IC50=30 microM) was lower than that of trilinolein, even when the Streptomyces tyrosinase was used for the assay. Kinetic analyses indicate that both trilinolein and triolein inhibit the tyrosinase activity noncompetitively. When transformed with a plasmid carrying the Streptomyces tyrosinase gene, the melanin-synthesizing ability of the transformed Escherichia coli host was dose-dependently interfered with by trilinolein.     

Tyrosinase inhibitors of Pulsatilla cernua root-derived materials

The inhibition of mushroom tyrosinase by Pulsatilla cernua root-derived materials was evaluated. The bioactive components of Pulsatilla cernua root were characterized by spectroscopic analyses as 3,4-dihydroxycinnamic acid and 4-hydroxy-3-methoxycinnamic acid, which exhibited potent antityrosinase activity. The ID50 values of 3,4-dihydroxycinnamic acid and 4-hydroxy-3-methoxycinnamic acid were 0.97 and 0.33 mM, respectively. The compounds isolated from Pulsatilla cernua roots exhibited noncompetitive inhibition against oxidation of L-DOPA by mushroom tyrosinase. This activity was compared with that of three cinnamic acid derivatives and four well-known tyrosinase inhibitors. The ID50 of 4-hydroxy-3-methoxycinnamic acid exhibited superior activity relative to anisaldehyde, anisic acid, benzoic acid, benzaldehyde, cinnamic acid, and cinnamaldehyde; but antityrosinase inhibitors and cinnamic acid derivatives, except for cinnamyl alcohol, were slightly more effective than 3,4-dihydroxycinnamic acid. In the case of benzaldehyde and cinnamaldehyde, the aldehyde group is, apparently, a key group in eliciting potent inhibitory activity, whereas anisaldehyde is more effective than anisic acid. Methoxy substitutions, such as 2-methoxycinnamic acid, 3-methoxycinnamic acid, and 4-methoxycinnamic acid, enhanced inhibition of tyrosinase activity. As a naturally occurring tyrosinase inhibitor, 3,4-dihydroxycinnamic acid and 4-hydroxy-3-methoxycinnamic acid may be useful as new agents to inhibit the oxidation of L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (L-DOPA) by mushroom tyrosinase.     

Fungal biotransformation of (+/-)-linalool

The biotransformation of (+/-)-linalool was investigated by screening 19 fungi. Product accumulation was enhanced by substrate feeding and, for the first time, lilac aldehydes and lilac alcohols were identified as fungal biotransformation byproduct using SPME-GC-MS headspace analysis. Aspergillus niger DSM 821, Botrytis cinerea 5901/02, and B. cinerea 02/FBII/2.1 produced different isomers of lilac aldehyde and lilac alcohol from linalool via 8-hydroxylinalool as postulated intermediate. Linalool oxides and 8-hydroxylinalool were the major products of fungal (+/-)-linalool biotransformations. Furanoid trans-(2 R,5 R)- and cis-(2 S,5 R)-linalool oxide as well as pyranoid trans-(2 R,5 S)- and cis-(2 S, 5 S)-linalool oxide were identified as the main stereoisomers with (3 S,6 S)-6,7-epoxylinalool and (3 R,6 S)-6,7-epoxylinalool as postulated key intermediates of fungal (+/-)-linalool oxyfunctionalization, respectively. With a conversion yield close to 100% and a productivity of 120 mg/L.day linalool oxides, Corynespora cassiicola DSM 62485 was identified as a novel highly stereoselective linalool transforming biocatalyst showing the highest productivity reported so far.     

Flavonoids as mushroom tyrosinase inhibitors: a fluorescence quenching study

Flavonoids, a group of naturally occurring antioxidants and metal chelators, can be used as tyrosinase inhibitors due to their formation of copper-flavonoid complexes. Thus, to investigate the underlying inhibition mechanism, a large group of flavonoids from several major flavones and flavonols were tested using fluorescence quenching spectroscopy. In addition, large differences in the tyrosinase inhibitory activities and chelating capacities according to the location of the hydroxyl group(s) in combination with the A and B rings in the flavonoids were confirmed. Accordingly, the major conclusions from this work are as follows: (i) The tyrosinase inhibitory activity is not only dependent on the number of hydroxyl groups in the flavonoids, (ii) the enzyme is primarily quenched by the hydroxyl group(s) of A and B rings on the ether side of the flavonoids, and (iii) the tyrosinase inhibitory activity of 7,8,3',4'-tetrahydroxyflavone is supported by a virtual model of docking with the mushroom tyrosinase, which depicts the quenching of the enzyme. The results also demonstrated that the dihydroxy substitutions in the A and B rings are crucial for Cu2+-chelate formation, thereby influencing the tyrosinase inhibitory activity.     

Inhibition of diphenolase activity of tyrosinase by vitamin b(6) compounds

The vitamin B(6) compounds pyridoxine (PN), pyridoxamine (PM), pyridoxal (PL), and pyridoxamine 5'-phosphate (PMP) inhibited the diphenolase activity of mushroom tyrosinase. PM showed the highest inhibition; the control activity was inhibited by 38% at 1.5 mM. Each PL, PN, and PMP showed about 30% inhibition at the same concentration. Lineweaver-Burk plots showed that PM and PN were mixed-type inhibitors with K(I) values of 4.3 and 5.2 mM, respectively. Because PM and PN cannot form a Schiff base with a primary amino group of the enzyme, their inhibition is not attributable to the formation of the Schiff base. Alternatively, their quenching function of reactive oxygen species (ROS) was postulated to be responsible for the inhibition. Thus, the inhibitory effect of ROS was examined. The representative singlet oxygen quenchers l-histidine, sodium azide, Trolox, and anthracene-9,10-dipropionic acid (AAP) inhibited the activity. The specific scavenger of superoxide, proxyl fluorescamine, also inhibited the activity. The scavengers of hydroxyl radical, d-mannitol and dimethyl sulfoxide, showed no inhibition. The fluorescence of AAP was decayed during the diphenolase reaction, and PM inhibited the decay. AAP was also a mixed-type inhibitor. The results showed that the vitamin B(6) compounds inhibited the diphenolase activity by quenching ROS (probably singlet oxygen) generated during some reaction step of the diphenolase reaction.     

Characterization of the activity of tyrosinase on betaxanthins derived from (R)-amino acids

The activity of tyrosinase (EC 1.14.18.1) on selected (R)-betaxanthins is characterized in depth, demonstrating that the activity of the enzyme is not restricted to betaxanthins derived from (S)-amino acids. Conversion of (R)-tyrosine-betaxanthin [(R)-portulacaxanthin II] to the pigment (R)-dopaxanthin and its further oxidation to a series of products is described. Compound identity was studied by high performance liquid chromatography and electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry. The reaction rate on the (R)-isomer of dopaxanthin is 1.9-fold lower than that obtained for the (S)-isomer in previous studies. Tyrosinase showed stereospecificity in its affinity toward betaxanthins. The characterization of the activity of tyrosinase on (R)-betaxanthins reinforces the role of the enzyme in the biosynthetic scheme of betalains.     

Solid-phase synthesis of mimosine tetrapeptides and their inhibitory activities on neuraminidase and tyrosinase

Neuraminidase is a rational target for influenza inhibition, and the search for neuraminidase inhibitors has been intensified. Mimosine, a nonprotein amino acid, was for the first time identified as a neuraminidase inhibitor with an IC(50) of 9.8 ± 0.2 μM. It was found that mimosine had slow, time-dependent competitive inhibition against the neuraminidase. Furthermore, a small library of mimosine tetrapeptides (M-A(1)-A(2)-A(3)) was synthesized by solid-phase synthesis and was assayed to evaluate their neuraminidase and tyrosinase inhibitory properties. Most of the tetrapeptides showed better activities than mimosine. Mimosine-FFY was the best compound, and it exhibited 50% neuraminidase inhibition at a low micromolar range of 1.8 ± 0.2 μM, whereas for tyrosinase inhibition, it had an IC(50) of 18.3 ± 0.5 μM. The kinetic studies showed that all of the synthesized peptides inhibited neuraminidase noncompetitively with K(i) values ranging from 1.9 -to 7.2 μM. These results suggest that mimosine could be used as a source of bioactive compounds and may have possibilities in the design of drugs as neuraminidase and tyrosinase inhibitors.     

Prolyl endopeptidase inhibitory activity of unsaturated fatty acids

Prolyl endopeptidase (PEP, EC 3.4.21.26) is widely distributed in various organs, particularly in the brains of amnestic patients. Evaluation of PEP levels in postmortem brains of Alzheimer's disease patients revealed significant increases in PEP activity, suggesting that a specific PEP inhibitor can be a good candidate for an antiamnestic drug. In this study, mono- and polyunsaturated fatty acids were investigated to determine their role as PEP inhibitors. Oleic, linoleic, and arachidonic acids, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) showed PEP inhibitory activities (IC50 values of 23.6 +/- 0.4, 43.8 +/- 1.8, 53.4 +/- 1.2, 99.4 +/- 1.2, and 46.2 +/- 1.0 microM, respectively), indicating that they were effective PEP inhibitors, with inhibition constant (Ki) values of 26.7 +/- 0.3, 51.0 +/- 0.7, 91.3 +/- 3.1, 247.5 +/- 2.6, and 89.0 +/- 2.3 microM, respectively. Oleic acid showed the highest PEP inhibitory activity. Dixon plots of PEP inhibition showed oleic, linoleic, and arachidonic acids, EPA, and DHA are noncompetitive inhibitors; despite higher IC50 values of these unsaturated fatty acids than strong natural inhibitors, they may have potential use in preventing memory loss.     

Synthesis of 3-(4-Bromobenzyl)-5-(aryl methylene)-5H-furan-2-ones and their activity as inhibitors of the photosynthetic electron transport chain

A series of 12 3-(4-bromobenzyl)-5-(arylmethylene)-5 H-furan-2-one lactones, designed using the naturally occurring toxin nostoclides as a lead structure, were synthesized and screened as potential inhibitors of photosynthetic electron transport. The structures were confirmed by (1)H and (13)C NMR, MS, and IR analyses. Their biological activity was evaluated both in vitro, as the ability to interfere with light-driven reduction of ferricyanide by isolated spinach chloroplasts, and in vivo, as the capability to inhibite the oxygen production by intact Chlorella cells. Some of the compounds exhibited inhibitory properties in the micromolar range against basal and phosphorylating electron flow from water to K 3[Fe(CN) 6], with no effect on uncoupled electron flow. Thus, they seem to behave as energy-transfer inhibitors. Although poor solubility in water may limit their effectiveness, the active derivatives could present structures to be exploited for the design of new substances endowed with herbicidal activity.     

Enantiomeric synthesis of (S)-2-methylbutanoic acid methyl ester, apple flavor, using lipases in organic solvent

Enantiomeric selective synthesis of (S)-2-methylbutanoic acid methyl ester, which is known as a major apple and strawberry flavor, was performed from racemic 2-methylbutanoic acid using lipases in organic solvent. Among 20 lipases, lipase IM 20 (immobilized lipase of Rhizomucor miehei), lipase AP (Aspergillus niger), and lipase FAP-15 (Aspergillus javanicus) exhibited higher enzymatic activities and enantioselectivities and were selected for the synthesis of (S)-2-methylbutanoic acid methyl ester. Using these enzymes, the reaction conditions such as temperature and lyophilizing pH were optimized, and kinetic parameters were determined. All of the reactions were performed in isooctane, which was identified as the best reaction media for nonaqueous systems. At 20 degrees C maximum enantiomeric excess was observed, while synthetic activity increased as the temperature increased. Only lipases lyophilized at pH 5.5, 6. 0, 6.5, and 7.0 showed synthetic activity. In this pH range, enantioselectivities were not influenced by the lyophilizing pH. The K(M,S) and K(M,R) values for ester synthetic activity of lipase were 1120 and 1240 mM, respectively. Enzyme activity was inhibited by (S)-2-methylbutanoic amide, and its K(i) was calculated as 84 mM. (S)-2-Methylbutanoic amide acted as a competitive inhibitor.     

Inhibitory effects of lignans on the activity of human matrix metalloproteinase 7 (matrilysin)

Inhibitory effects of nine dibenzylbutyrolactone lignans on a human matrix metalloproteinase, matrilysin, were examined. All of the lignans examined inhibited matrilysin with the IC(50) values ranging from 50 to >280 microM. Matairesinol, which has the basic structure of the other lignans, showed the weakest inhibition. Lignans with methylenedioxy ring(s) or a hydroxyl group at the C5-position inhibited matrilysin more strongly than matairesinol. 5-Hydroxypluviatolide, which has both a methylenedioxy ring and a hydroxyl group at the C5-position, was the most potent inhibitor (IC(50) = 50 microM), suggesting that the introduction of these two elements might enhance synergistically the inhibitory activity of lignans. 5-Hydroxypluviatolide inhibited matrilysin in a competitive manner, and its inhibitory effect was greatly suppressed by the presence of another competitive inhibitor, dimethyl sulfoxide. The precursors of matairesinol, coniferyl alcohol and secoisolariciresinol, had no inhibitory activity, indicating that the dibenzylbutyrolactone structure is essential for the inhibition. It has been shown that lignans have the potential to inhibit matrilysin, and the knowledge of their structure-activity relationship might be beneficial to developing selective inhibitors for matrix metalloproteinases.     

Isolation and tyrosinase inhibitory effects of polyphenols from the leaves of persimmon, Diospyros kaki

The main polyphenols were isolated from the leaves of six selected persimmon cultivars. Seven compounds were obtained by reverse-phase HPLC, and their structures were elucidated by multiple NMR measurements. These compounds are hyperoside, isoquercitrin, trifolin, astragalin, chrysontemin, quercetin-3-O-(2'-O-galloyl-β-D-glucopyranoside) (QOG), and kaempferol-3-O-(2'-O-galloyl-β-D-glucopyranoside) (KOG). Their inhibitory activity was tested against tyrosinase for the oxidation of L-DOPA, and only chrysontemin showed inhibitory activity. To investigate the differences of their inhibitory effects, the tyrosinase inhibitory activities of their aglycons, cyanidin, quercetin, and kaempferol, were also tested. As a result, it was confirmed that the most influential moiety for tyrosinase inhibition was the 3',4'-dihydroxy groups of the catechol moiety. Moreover, the tyrosinase inhibitory activity of chrysontemin, which was identified in persimmon leaves for the first time, is supported by a simulated model of chrysontemin docking into mushroom tyrosinase.     

Phytoene desaturase inhibition by O-(2-phenoxy)ethyl-N-aralkylcarbamates

O-[1-Ethyl-2-(3-trifluoromethylphenoxy)]ethyl-N-benzylcarbamate exhibits a marked inhibition of carotenoid biosynthesis. Forty-one analogues were synthesized and assayed for plant-type phytoene desaturase (PDS) and zeta-carotene desaturase (ZDS) inhibition in a cell-free system using recombinant enzymes obtained from Escherichia coli transformants. The target enzyme of all carbamates synthesized in this study is PDS and not ZDS; no inhibition of ZDS was observed using a 10(-4) M inhibitor concentration. Four compounds, O-[1-ethyl-2-(3-trifluoromethylphenoxy)]ethyl-N-(2-phenylethyl)carbamate (23), O-[1-ethyl-2-(3-trifluoromethylphenoxy)]ethyl-N-(2-chlorobenzyl)carbamate (25), O-[1-ethyl-2-(3-trifluoromethylphenoxy)]ethyl-N-(2-chlorobenzyl)carbamate (26), and O-[1-methyl-2-(3-trifluoromethylphenoxy)]ethyl-N-benzylcarbamate (30), were the most potent PDS inhibitors. Their pI(50) values, the negative logarithms of the molar concentration that produces a 50% inhibition, were 7.5, representing the same inhibitory activity as norflurazon. With respect to a structure-activity relationship the oxygen atom of the phenoxy group and a carbamate structure in O-(1-ethyl-2-phenoxy)ethyl-N-aralkylcarbamates studied were found to be essential for strong PDS inhibitors. Also, introduction of an ethyl group at the alpha-position of the ethylene bridge between the phenoxy group and the carbamate was important for a strong PDS inhibitor. Substituents at the 2- and/or 3-position of the phenoxybenzene ring were found to be favorable to a strong PDS inhibition of the analogues.     

Enzyme, protein, carbohydrate, and phenolic contaminants in commercial tyrosinase preparations: potential problems affecting tyrosinase activity and inhibition studies

Commercial mushroom tyrosinase contains other proteins, enzymes, carbohydrates, and phenolic material besides tyrosinase. Carbohydrate and phenolic material comprise a large percentage of the powder resuspensions derived from Agaricus bisporus. Enzyme assays identified the presence of tyrosinase, laccase, beta-glucosidase, beta-galactosidase, beta-xylosidase, cellulase, chitinase, xylanase, and mannanase in the commercial tyrosinase. Protein sequencing indicated the presence of tyrosinase, a lectin, and a putative mannanase as well as 10 unidentified protein/peptides in the commercial tyrosinase preparations. Characteristics of tyrosinase isoforms were similar in two different commercial tyrosinase sources. Inhibition studies indicated that I 50 values for some tyrosinase inhibitors were different when the crude powder was compared to a partially purified tyrosinase. The presence of these contaminants has the potential to affect studies using commercial tyrosinase.     

Slow-binding inhibition of mushroom (Agaricus bisporus) tyrosinase isoforms by tropolone.

A kinetic study of the inhibition of mushroom tyrosinase by tropolone has been made. Three tyrosinase isoforms were used: two commercial tyrosinases from Fluka and Sigma (isoelectric points of 4. 3 and 4.1, respectively) and one purified isoform from mushroom strain U1 (isoelectric point of 4.5). Tropolone is a slow-binding inhibitor of these mushroom tyrosinase isoforms. Increasing tropolone concentrations provoked a progressive decrease in both the initial velocity and the final (inhibited) steady-state rate in the progress curves of product accumulation. A rapid formation of an enzyme-inhibitor complex, which further undergoes a slow reversible reaction, could take place since the inhibition of the different isoforms was partially reversed by the addition of CuSO(4). The kinetic parameters that described the inhibition by tropolone were evaluated by nonlinear regression fits. Incubation experiments of the different isoforms with tropolone demonstrated that this inhibitor only could bind to the "oxy" form of tyrosinase which justifies a mechanism previously proposed to explain the inhibition of tyrosinase by slow-binding inhibitors.     

Synthesis and antityrosinase activities of alkyl 3,4-dihydroxybenzoates

In insects, tyrosinase plays important roles in normal developmental processes, such as cuticular tanning, scleration, wound healing, production of opsonins, encapsulation and nodule formation for defense against foreign pathogens. Thus, tyrosinase may be regarded as a potential candidate for novel bioinsecticide development. A family of alkyl 3,4-dihydroxybenzoates (C?-C?), new tyrosinsase inhibitors, were synthesized. Their inhibitory effects on the activity of tyrosinase have been investigated. The results showed all of them could inhibit the activity of tyrosianse effectively. The order of potency was nonyl 3,4-dihydroxybenzoate (C?DB) > octyl 3,4-dihydroxybenzoate(C?DB) > heptyl 3,4-dihydroxybenzoate(C?DB) > hexyl 3,4-dihydroxybenzoate (C?DB). The kinetic analysis of these four compounds on tyrosinase was taken to expound their inhibitory mechanism. The research of the control of insects in agriculture was taken as C?DB for example. C?DB could inhibit the development and molting of Plutella xylostella effectively. To clarify its insecticidal mechanism, we researched the expression of tyrosinase in the P. xylostella treated with C?DB by real-time quantitative PCR. The results showed C?DB could inhibit the expression of tyrosinase in the P. xylostella as expected.