Extracts from European Propolises as Potent Tyrosinase Inhibitors

Abstract

Tyrosinase is a key enzyme in the melanogenesis pathway. Melanin, the product of this process, is the main pigment of the human skin and a major protection factor against harmful ultraviolet radiation (UVR). Increased melanin synthesis due to tyrosinase hyperactivity can cause hyperpigmentation disorders, which in consequence causes freckles, age spots, melasma, or postinflammatory hyperpigmentation. Tyrosinase overproduction and hyperactivity are triggered by the ageing processes and skin inflammation as a result of oxidative stress. Therefore, the control of tyrosinase activity is the main goal of the prevention and treatment of pigmentation disorders. Natural products, especially propolis, according to their phytochemical profile abundant in polyphenols, is a very rich resource of new potential tyrosinase inhibitors. Therefore, this study focused on the assessment of the tyrosinase inhibitory potential of six extracts obtained from the European propolis samples of various origins. The results showed the potent inhibitory activity of all tested propolis extracts towards commercially available mushroom tyrosinase. The four most active propolis extracts showed inhibitory activity in the range of 86.66–93.25%. Apart from the evaluation of the tyrosinase inhibition, the performed research included UHPLC–DAD–MS/MS (ultra high performance liquid chromatography coupled with diode array detection and tandem mass spectrometry) phytochemical profiling as well as antioxidant activity assessment using the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and the 2,2”-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfuric acid (ABTS) radical scavenging tests. Moreover, statistical analysis was used to correlate the tyrosinase inhibitory and antioxidant activities of propolis extracts with their phytochemical composition. To summarise, the results of our research showed that tested propolis extracts could be used for skin cosmeceutical and medical applications.

Cannabidiol and Minor Phytocannabinoids: A Preliminary Study to Assess Their Anti-Melanoma, Anti-Melanogenic, and Anti-Tyrosinase Properties

“…One of the mechanisms that might be responsible for a decrease in melanin biosynthesis is related to the inhibition of tyrosinase, a metalloenzyme that influences the first two rate-limiting melanogenesis steps [ 42 ]. Previous studies [ 43 , 44 , 45 ] showed that natural compounds might interact differently with tyrosinase enzymes of various origins [ 46 ]. Alignment of the protein sequence of mushroom, murine, and human tyrosinase using BLAST tool [ 47 ] showed a 23.23% amino acid identity between mushroom and murine tyrosinase, a 23.42% identity between mushroom and human tyrosinase and an 85.37% identity between murine and human enzymes.…”

Tetrahedral framework nucleic acid loaded with glabridin: A transdermal delivery system applicated to anti‐hyperpigmentation

“…TYR, MITF, TRP‐1 and TRP‐2 play important roles in melanin synthesis. After activation, TYR converts l ‐tyrosine into dopaquinone, which can be used in subsequent reactions to produce melanin 53–55 . During this process, factors secreted by keratinocytes bind to melanocyte receptors and initiate melanin synthesis, including cAMP stimulation 56,57 .…”

“…After activation, TYR converts l ‐tyrosine into dopaquinone, which can be used in subsequent reactions to produce melanin. 53 , 54 , 55 During this process, factors secreted by keratinocytes bind to melanocyte receptors and initiate melanin synthesis, including cAMP stimulation. 56 , 57 cAMP increases the expression of MITF; then upregulates the expression of TYR, TRP‐1 and TRP‐2; finally promotes melanin synthesis in melanocytes.…”

Exploring the Prospective Role of Propolis in Modifying Aging Hallmarks

“…The protective properties of propolis extracts are evident in human experimental in vitro skin models, where they effectively inhibit UV-induced photodamage by mitigating the occurrence of DNA strand breaks and enhancing cell viability [ 120 ]. For instance, propolis is acknowledged as a powerful inhibitor of tyrosinase, a pivotal enzyme in the melanogenesis pathway [ 121 ]. Given that UV irradiation can trigger oxidative stress leading to DNA damage and pigmentation disorders, Stavropoulou et al examined various samples of Greek propolis.…”