MYCOLab Ai Logo - gold and army green

Inhibition of Tyrosinase Activity and Melanine Pigmentation by 2-Hydroxytyrosol

Summary

This research discovered a new compound from fungi that could help control skin pigmentation by blocking an enzyme called tyrosinase. The compound works as well as or better than existing skin-whitening ingredients and may be safer to use. Impact on everyday life: • Could lead to new and safer skin-lightening products • May help treat conditions like age spots and melasma • Demonstrates the value of studying fungi for discovering useful compounds • Could improve options for people with uneven skin pigmentation • May reduce reliance on potentially harmful skin-whitening ingredients

Background

Melanin is essential for protecting human skin against radiation, but abnormal melanin accumulation induces pigmentation disorders like melasma, freckles, ephelides, and senile lentigines. Melanogenesis occurs in melanocytes in the basal epidermis layer and is controlled by tyrosinase. While tyrosinase inhibitors like arbutin, kojic acid and hydroquinones are used as whitening agents, they have limitations in efficacy and safety, creating a need for new inhibitors without side effects.

Objective

To investigate the tyrosinase inhibitory activity and effects on melanin pigmentation of 2-hydroxytyrosol (2-HT), a compound isolated for the first time as a fungal metabolite from Metarhizium sp.

Results

2-HT inhibited mushroom tyrosinase with an IC50 of 13.0 μmol/L, comparable to kojic acid (IC50 14.8 μmol/L). It inhibited tyrosinase in B16 cell lysates (IC50 32.5 μmol/L) more potently than kojic acid (IC50 113 μmol/L). 2-HT also dose-dependently inhibited α-MSH-stimulated melanin formation in B16 melanoma cells with IC50 of 571 μmol/L, more effectively than arbutin (IC50 1130 μmol/L).

Conclusion

2-HT demonstrated potent tyrosinase inhibitory activity comparable or superior to existing inhibitors, both in cell-free and cellular systems. As a newly identified fungal metabolite with promising effects on melanin production, 2-HT represents a potential lead compound for treating skin pigmentation disorders.
  • Published in:Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B,
  • Study Type:Laboratory Study,
  • Source: 10.1016/j.apsb.2013.12.008
Scroll to Top