Phosphonic and Phosphinic Acid Derivatives as Novel Tyrosinase Inhibitors: Kinetic Studies and Molecular Docking

A dozen of phosphonic and phosphinic acid derivatives containing pyridine moiety were synthesized and its inhibitory activity toward mushroom tyrosinase was investigated. Moreover, molecular docking of these compounds to the active site of the enzyme was performed. All the compounds (1-10) demonstrated the inhibitory effect with the IC₅₀ and inhibition constants ranging millimolar concentrations. The obtained results indicate that the compounds show different types of inhibition (competitive, noncompetitive, mixed), but all of them are reversible inhibitors. The obtained outcomes allowed to make the structure-activity relationship (SAR) analysis. Compound 4 ([(benzylamino)(pyridin-2-yl)methyl]phenylphosphinic acid) revealed the lowest IC₅₀ value of 0.3 mm and inhibitory constant of K_i 0.076 mm, with noncompetitive type and reversible mechanism of inhibition. According to SAR analysis, introducing bulky phenyl moieties to phosphonic and amino groups plays an important role in the inhibitory potency on activity of mushroom tyrosinase and could be useful in design and development of a new class of potent organophosphorus inhibitors of tyrosinase. Combined results of molecular docking and SAR analysis can be helpful in designing novel tyrosinase inhibitors of desired properties. They may have broad application in food industry and cosmetology.