Novel beta-Lactam Compounds as Activators for Polyphenoloxidase

Abstract

A copper-containing enzyme polyphenol oxidase (other name is tyrosinase) plays crucial role in melanin biosynthesis, as a compound responsible for human pigmentation. Non controlled loss of melanin can cause hypopigmentation disease. The hypopigmentatory disorder can be treated with melanogenesis stimulators. Here, twenty-four new beta-lactam compounds were synthesized, characterized and in vitro effects of them on banana tyrosinase investigated. The enzyme has been purified from banana by an affinity gel comprised of Sepharose4B-L-tyrosine-p-aminobenzoic acid. The results showed that the compounds have an effect on increasing the activity of tyrosinase enzyme. Molecules having a notable tyrosinase activator effects are compound3 h(79.86) and compound4 n(61.30). The maximal activation, 131% was determined at 130 mu M concentration. These results suggested that compounds3 hand4 nmight represent a novel approach for an effective therapy for diseases associate with tyrosinase dysfunction, such as vitiligo and hair graying.