An updated review of tyrosinase inhibitors

• Published in: International Journal of Molecular Sciences Vol. 10; no. 6; pp. 2440 - 2475
• Main Author: Chang, Te-Sheng
• Format: Journal Article Book Review
• Language: English
• Published: Switzerland MDPI AG 26.05.2009; Molecular Diversity Preservation International (MDPI)
• Subjects: Benzaldehydes - chemistry; Benzaldehydes - metabolism; Benzoates - chemistry; Benzoates - metabolism; Biological Products - chemistry; Biological Products - metabolism; browning; Enzyme Inhibitors - chemistry; Enzyme Inhibitors - metabolism; inhibitors; Melanins - metabolism; melanogenesis; Monophenol Monooxygenase - antagonists & inhibitors; Monophenol Monooxygenase - metabolism; Polyphenols - chemistry; Polyphenols - metabolism; Protein Binding; Review; Steroids - chemistry; Steroids - metabolism; tyrosinase; browning; melanogenesis; inhibitors; tyrosinase
• ISSN: 1422-0067; 1661-6596; 1422-0067
• DOI: 10.3390/ijms10062440

Tyrosinase is a multifunctional, glycosylated, and copper-containing oxidase, which catalyzes the first two steps in mammalian melanogenesis and is responsible for enzymatic browning reactions in damaged fruits during post-harvest handling and processing. Neither hyperpigmentation in human skin nor enzymatic browning in fruits are desirable. These phenomena have encouraged researchers to seek new potent tyrosinase inhibitors for use in foods and cosmetics. This article surveys tyrosinase inhibitors newly discovered from natural and synthetic sources. The inhibitory strength is compared with that of a standard inhibitor, kojic acid, and their inhibitory mechanisms are discussed.