Inhibitory Effects, Fluorescence Studies, and Molecular Docking Analysis of Some Novel Pyridine-Based Compounds on...

Melanin biosynthesis in different organisms is performed by a tyrosinase action. Excessive enzyme activity and pigment accumulation result in different diseases and disorders including skin cancers, blemishes, and darkening. In fruits and vegetables, it causes unwanted browning of these products and reduces their appearance quality and economic value. Inhibiting enzyme activity and finding novel powerful and safe inhibitors are highly important in agriculture, food, medical, and pharmaceutical industries. In this regard, in the present study, some novel synthetic pyridine-based compounds including 2,6-bis (tosyloxymethyl) pyridine (compound 3), 2,6-bis (butylthiomethyl) pyridine (compound 4), and 2,6-bis (phenylthiomethyl) pyridine (compound 5) were synthesized for the first time, and their inhibitory potencies were assessed on mushroom tyrosinase diphenolase activity. The results showed that while all tested compounds significantly decreased the enzyme activity, compounds 4 and 5 had the highest inhibitory effects (respectively, 80 and 89% inhibition with the IC₅₀ values of 17.0 and 9.0 μmol L^-1), and the inhibition mechanism was mixed-type for both compounds. Ligand-binding studies were carried out by fluorescence quenching and molecular docking methods to investigate the enzyme-compound interactions. Fluorescence quenching results revealed that the compounds can form nonfluorescent complexes with the enzyme and result in quenching of its intrinsic emission by the static process. Molecular docking analyses predicted the binding positions and the amino acid residues involved in the interactions. These compounds appear to be suitable candidates for more studies on tyrosinase inhibition.