title: Effects of selected organo-sulfur compounds on melanin formation.
abstract: The effect of organo-sulfur compounds, including 1-propylmercaptan (PM), dimethyl disulfide (DMDS), diallyl disulfide (DADS), propyl disulfide (PDS), and 2,5-dimethylthiophene (DMT), on melanin formation was investigated. Among the selected five organo-sulfur compounds, PM displayed a significant inhibitory effect on tyrosinase activity (IC(50) = 0.5 mM) and the highest inhibitory action on o-quinone formation. In the B16 intracellular model system, the inhibitory action of selected five organo-sulfur compounds on tyrosinase activity and melanin formation may be, in part, attributed to the reduction of the reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation and positive modulation of the GSH/GSSG ratio in B16 cells. Among the five organo-sulfur compounds, PM appeared to be the most potent inhibitor of melanin formation. The analysis of inhibitory kinetics revealed that PM is a mixed-type inhibitor. This is the first study indicating that organo-sulfur compounds tested may play an important role in the regulation of melanin formation, making them the potent candidates for skin-whitening agents.
authors.affiliation: Department of Food Science and Technology, Chia Nan University of Pharmacy and Science, 60 Erh-Jen Road, Section 1, Pao-An, Jen-Te Hsing, Tainan, Taiwan, Republic of China.
authors.forename: Heuy-Ling
authors.initials: HL
authors.lastname: Chu
authors.forename: Bor-Sen
authors.initials: BS
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Pin-Der
authors.initials: PD
authors.lastname: Duh
mesh_terms: D000363:Agaricales / Q000737:chemistry / Q000201:enzymology; D000818:Animals; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D005656:Fungal Proteins / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000737:chemistry; D007700:Kinetics; D008543:Melanins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D008954:Models, Biological; D014442:Monophenol Monooxygenase / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000737:chemistry; D010455:Peptides / Q000494:pharmacology; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000378:metabolism; D012867:Skin / Q000378:metabolism; D012880:Skin Pigmentation / Q000187:drug effects*; D013457:Sulfur Compounds / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D005656:Fungal Proteins; D008543:Melanins; D010455:Peptides; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D013457:Sulfur Compounds; D014442:Monophenol Monooxygenase