1-(1-arylethylidene)thiosemicarbazide derivatives: A new class of tyrosinase inhibitors

A series of 1-(1-arylethylidene)thiosemicarbazide compounds and their analogues were synthesized and characterized by H-1 NMR, MS. Their tyrosinase inhibitory activities were investigated by an assay based on the catalyzing ability of tyrosinase for the oxidation Of L-DOPA, comparing with 4-methoxycinnamic acid and arbutin. The results showed that (1) all the synthesized compounds could perform a significant inhibitory activity for tyrosinase; (2) for these compounds, the main active moiety interacting with the center of tyrosinase would be thiosemicarbazo group; (3) the inhibitory activity was close related with thiosemicarbazide moieties and the groups attached on the aromatic ring. (c) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.