Heterocyclic Compounds as Synthetic Tyrosinase Inhibitors: Recent Advances

Tyrosinase is a copper-containing enzyme which is widely distributed in nature (e.g., bacteria, mammals, fungi) and involved in two consecutive steps of melanin biosynthesis. In humans, an excessive production of melanin can determine hyperpigmentation disorders as well as neurodegenerative processes in Parkinson's disease. The development of molecules able to inhibit the high activity of the enzyme remain a current topic in medicinal chemistry, because the inhibitors reported so far present several side effects. Heterocycle-bearing molecules are largely diffuse in this sense. Due to their importance as biologically active compounds, we decided to report a comprehensive review of synthetic tyrosinase inhibitors possessing heterocyclic moieties reported within the last five years. For the reader's convenience, we classified them as inhibitors of mushroom tyrosinase (Agaricus bisporus) and human tyrosinase.

Automated summary

Tyrosinase is a copper-containing enzyme involved in melanin biosynthesis. Excessive melanin production can lead to hyperpigmentation disorders and neurodegenerative processes. Inhibitors of this enzyme are being studied in medicinal chemistry, with a focus on heterocycle-bearing molecules. This review provides a comprehensive overview of synthetic tyrosinase inhibitors with heterocyclic moieties, categorized by their interaction with mushroom tyrosinase and human tyrosinase.